Joao Felix broke out of Benfica’s youth team as one of Europe’s most exciting talents, and it didn’t take long for Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid to splash the club’s record transfer fee to secure his move to the Spanish capital. He became the fourth-most expensive player in football after completing a £113 million to Atletico, the second-highest fee ever paid for a teenager.
He quickly became a sensation for Diego Simeone, who deployed him as an attacking midfielder or a second striker. In November of the same year, he won the Golden Boy award, becoming the second Portuguese player to win the award after Renato Sanches. He was also voted in the top 30 of the 2019 Ballon d’Or ranking, but things have since fallen off for the 23-year-old.
Felix has now offered a “come and get me” plea to Barcelona after being told he wouldn’t be needed in Diego Simeone’s team next season.
Joao Felix on a Potential Move to Barcelona
The 23-year-old attacker has been an outcast in the Atletico team for the last two seasons. The Portuguese player was sent on a loan to Chelsea in January 2022 to get him some playing time after he fell out with Diego Simeone. The club backed the coach against the player, and Miguel Angel Gil Marin, the club’s CEO, quickly pointed out how Felix was up for sale.
“Felix is the biggest bet the club has ever made. I think he’s a high-performance player, one of the best in the world, but, for some reasons that are not worth naming now, the relationship between him and the coach is not good,” Marin said.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE — João Félix statement on his future: “I’d love to play for Barça”.
◉ “Barcelona has always been my first choice and I’d love to join Barça”.
◉ “It was always my dream since I was a kid”.
◉ “If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me”. pic.twitter.com/3zg9BiCDgO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 18, 2023
After Chelsea’s new manager Mauricio Pochettino decided against a permanent move for the Atletico star, Felix now wants away from the club that wants to sell him as much. In an exclusive interview posted by Fabrizio Romano, Felix clearly stated how much he wanted out of Atletico Madrid and added on his desire to become a Culer.
“I’d love to play for Barca. Barcelona has always been my first choice, and I’d love to join Barca. If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me,” the 23-year-old declared.
Joao Felix Stripped of his Idol’s No. 7 Jersey at Atletico Madrid
Although Felix’s idol Cristiano Ronaldo has Real Madrid links, he decided to sign for their local rival Atletico in 2019, inheriting the club’s iconic no. 7 shirt previously donned by Antoine Griezman. Felix continues to play with his idol in the Portugal national team.
Joao Felix and Atletico Madrid’s relationship reached a new low when the former Chelsea loanee returned to training ahead of the new season. First, the player was seen training with the club’s youth team after reports broke out that he had been completely frozen out of the first team by Diego Simeone.
According to Daily Mail, his No. 7 jersey was also taken from him and given to club legend Antoine Griezman. This leaves Felix in a difficult spot, with a move away from the club now looking increasingly likely.
Where should Joao Felix play next season? Let us know in the comments section.
