Joao Cancelo 'cleared to play for Portugal following tests on a heart problem'

Joao Cancelo has been cleared to play for Portugal in their upcoming round of international fixtures having undergone testing after the emergence of a potential heart problem.

Cancelo was left out of Barcelona's 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday as a precaution following a report by Spanish outlet RAC1 that a family member had been diagnosed with a cardiac issue.

The versatile full back was then monitored to ascertain whether a similar problem would impact the Portuguese star.

However, according to reports, the Manchester City loanee is now thought to have been given the green light, after results showed he was in good health.

As a result, he will be able to play a part in the upcoming games against Sweden and Slovenia, as Portugal continue their preparations for Euro 2024.

Prior to the green-light from the medical testing, boss Roberto Martinez stated that the player would be on the list for the clash with Slovenia on Wednesday but would be monitored in a similar way to how Barcelona had been.

'We need to look natural. The noise is not a right noise,' he said.

'We are working, Cancelo is on the list for the second game, we are working on how to monitor the players as we do, we work with the club like Barcelona, but now there is no reason to be alert.'

Cancelo is a long-standing member of the Portugal set-up, having played 50 times and scored 10 goals for his country.

He was however quick to outline that there is more to Portugal than just Cristiano Ronaldo, his country's greatest ever player.

Ronaldo - as well as winning five Ballon d'Or trophies - has won 205 caps and scored 128 times for Portugal, and at the age of 39 is still leading the line for Martinez's side.

'He is an important player and spent 15 years competing