Joao Felix scored the winner in the first half for FC Barcelona to rack up important three points against Atlético Madrid. All the major points after the match surrounded the Portuguese winger, but a few fans were confused as to why Atlético Madrid allowed Felix to play against them while being on a loan to FC Barcelona.
The answer lies in the regulations of La Liga. Unlike the English Premier League and Portuguese Primeira Liga, the Spanish league doesn’t prohibit a loan player from playing against their parent club. There are speculations that teams in the Spanish league can add clauses to prevent their loan players from playing against them but no such clause has been evident in La Liga so far.
Joao Felix completed his dream to FC Barcelona on the deadline day in a loan deal from Atlético Madrid where he was struggling for game time. Since joining Barcelona, Felix has played 17 games in all competitions and has scored five goals and three assists.
🔵🔴 João Félix scores and celebrates against Atlético Madrid… while he’s on loan to Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/nJWwZ497GN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 3, 2023
The winner from Felix prevented Atlético Madrid to leapfrog Barcelona in La Liga table. FC Barcelona now sits in 3rd place in the table four points behind Real Madrid and Girona who are joint top with 38 points. Atlético Madrid sits a 4th place with 31 points but has a game in hand.
Felix’s celebration after the goal was also one of the talking points as the Portuguese embraced the love of the home ground of FC Barcelona by standing on top of an advertising board. The celebration sends another strong message from the Portuguese winger, who wants to continue at the club next season. The major pushback for FC Barcelona in this case has been the asking price of Atlético Madrid.
Joao Felix feels welcomed at FC Barcelona
The Portuguese winger spoke about his ongoing spell with FC Barcelona after the match: “Every single week they speak about me. I’m always a topic in the media but I’m calm. I don’t look at what they say. I’m only working hard to improve. Let me say thanks to Barça, they welcomed me in the best way”.
Fans chanting João Felix 🥹🥹💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/mxhBi3jqKS
— ᴘɢ² 🇵🇸 (@angrygavi) December 4, 2023
Felix was frozen out of the squad after an internal spat with Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone. Before his loan move to Barcelona, the winger made zero appearances for the Madrid side in all competitions. The move to Barcelona gave a new hope to the winger, and he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Atlético Madrid president reveals Joao Felix plans for next season
Barcelona’s financial struggles are well documented and they might likely not move for a permanent signature of Felix after his loan spell ends in the summer of 2024. The Spanish club wants to invest his limited funds to sign Joao Cancelo on a permanent and might leave Felix hanging.
Atletico Madrid president, Enrique Cerezo has commented on the future of the Portuguese winger. The President has revealed that the Madrid-based club will be happy to take back Felix if FC Barcelona doesn’t make a move for Felix on a permanent.
Earlier this week, Antoine Griezmann said João Félix “lacked the consistency” to succeed at Atlético Madrid.
Saúl Ñiguez also said Félix “could have done things” better at the club.
Today, Félix responded by scoring the winner for Barcelona against his parent club 🥶 pic.twitter.com/IOjn487S1l
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 3, 2023
Cerezo revealed: “João has joined Barça on loan, he’s playing there and he’s one of the best players in Europe. If next year Barça don’t want to keep him, he will be back at Atléti. It’s very easy, no”? Felix is currently stuck in a long team deal with Atletico Madrid. The current contract of Felix runs till 2029 which plays into the hands of Diego Simeone’s side.
Before Barcelona, Felix spent six months on a loan in Chelsea. The Portuguese winger has already burned his bridges with the players and managers at his parent club. It is unlikely that he will move back to Atlético Madrid in 2024. A new club might emerge for his signature for another loan deal or maybe even a permanent move. Felix needs to keep performing to attract more suitors.