In a surprising turn of events, Portuguese soccer sensation Joao Felix has come forward to clarify the recent statement he made about his dream to join FC Barcelona. The young star claims that the statement was not his own idea but rather ‘orders that came from above.’ This revelation has sparked intrigue and raised questions about the dynamics between players, agents, and clubs in the transfer market.
Joao Felix, a forward for Atletico Madrid, has made it clear that he wants to leave the Spanish club. His latest move was to mention his “dream” of joining a La Liga rival. This presents a transfer dilemma for Atletico Madrid.
Joao Felix would love to play for Barcelona 👀 pic.twitter.com/UKSs9WLDzr
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 18, 2023
He admitted to Fabrizio Romano, “I’d love to play for Barça. It has always been my dream to play for Barça, and Barcelona has always been my top choice.” Felix stated, “If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me,” despite there being no agreement between the clubs.
Felix made a loan move to Chelsea in January before returning back to Atletico Madrid after the end of the season.
Unraveling the truth: The statement of Joao Felix regarding FC Barcelona was not genuine
Felix recently made news when he made it known that he wanted to play for Barcelona, one of the most renowned soccer teams in the world. The statement took fans and the media by surprise, sparking talk of a potential transfer to the Catalan giants.
However, Felix has since clarified the source of this assertion, claiming that he was instructed to say it rather than having formed it on his own.
❗Joao Félix says his statement claiming that his dream is to join Barça was not his idea, but ‘orders that came from above’.
— @HelenaCondis pic.twitter.com/9WbZ2Ps6GW
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) July 20, 2023
However, Felix recently made a statement but refrained from saying specifically who gave him the idea. The implication is that his aides or the club’s administration planned the statement, though. This calls into question the degree of control and sway agents and clubs have over players’ outspoken statements and the extent to which they can sway the transfer narratives.
Felix’s attitude since rejoining the team this summer has been a source of frustration for the club, as reported by MARCA to describe the situation.
They cite Felix’s open argument with athletic director Andrea Berta, which took place on the practice pitch in full view of the other players and the press, as evidence. They also note that Félix is the first player to leave the pitch at the conclusion of each session and that he spends most of his off-field time with his father and entourage rather than his teammates.