Barcelona forward João Félix faced jeers and criticism from Atlético Madrid fans during his return to the Metropolitano stadium on Sunday. Despite being on loan at Barça and having to return to Atlético in the summer, Félix scored the opening goal against his parent club in a 3-0 victory for Barcelona. Throughout the game, every touch by Félix was met with whistles from Atlético supporters, who also defaced a plaque dedicated to the player outside the stadium and burned a shirt with his name on it.
In an interview with ESPN after the match, Félix expressed his frustration with the treatment he received from the Atlético fans. He mentioned that the fans did not know the full story of what happened internally and that his teammates at Atlético were aware of the situation and maintained good relations with him. Félix stated, “I am not the bad guy here, but I understand the supporters here perfectly because they don’t know everything.”
During his time at Atlético Madrid, Félix made several comments about the playing style of the team, indicating a preference for more attacking football. These comments did not sit well with the supporters, and he was also criticized for inconsistency during his seasons with the team, including by former player Antoine Griezmann. Sources have indicated that Félix may not be part of coach Diego Simeone’s plans for the future, making a return to Atlético unlikely.
Félix’s goal against Atlético Madrid set the stage for Barcelona’s victory, extending their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions. The win against Atlético capped off an impressive week for Barcelona, who also knocked Napoli out of the Champions League to advance to the quarterfinals against Paris Saint-Germain. Striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored Barcelona’s second goal in the match against Atlético, attributed the team’s improved form to changes in their training methods, emphasizing increased intensity.
Despite the challenges and criticisms faced by João Félix, he remains focused on his performances and contributions to Barcelona. Félix expressed his enjoyment of playing against big teams and the motivation he derives from hostile crowd environments. Barcelona is currently in contention for both the Champions League and LaLiga titles, and Félix is determined to fight until the end to achieve success with his team.
João Félix’s experience at Atlético Madrid and his subsequent loan to Barcelona have been met with mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. The player’s determination to prove himself on the field and overcome challenges in his career demonstrates his resilience and commitment to success in top-level football.