Griezmann explains why Barcelona's Joao Felix could not succeed at Atletico Madrid

Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann at Atletico Madrid | Imago

Griezmann explains why Barcelona's Joao Felix could not succeed at Atletico Madrid

Ayoola Kelechi 22:19 - 01.12.2023

Joao Felix's troubled spell with Atletico Madrid was his own doing according to former teammate Antoine Griezmann

Former Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann has criticised the attitude of current Blaugrana winger Joao Felix, who is on loan from fellow LaLiga side Atletico Madrid.

Griezmann critical of Joao Felix’s Atletico Madrid spell

Griezmann and Felix were briefly teammates at Atletico Madrid when the Frenchman returned from a brief spell with Barcelona, and the World Cup winner has given a scathing review ahead of a reunion with his former colleague.

Joao Felix: bio, age, preferred position and net worth of the Portuguese star
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16:33 - 28.11.2023

Joao Felix: bio, age, preferred position and net worth of the Portuguese star

Joao Felix is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Portuguese national team and La Liga club Barcelona. He is currently on loan to Barcelona from Atlético Madrid, whom he joined for a club-record transfer fee from Benfica. His preferred position has been the source of debate among soccer fans, but he can be deployed as a winger or an attacking midfielder.

Speaking ahead of the match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Griezmann spoke about Felix’s struggles while with the Rojiblancos and was quoted by DarioAS as saying, “In the end, when you get here, you know more or less what the coach and the team are like.

Rasheedat Ajibade French forward Antoine Griezmann team up for Atletico Madrid | Imago
Rasheedat Ajibade French forward Antoine Griezmann team up for Atletico Madrid | Imago

“Either you adapt and work for it or things don’t work out for you. Joao worked very well at times, but you have to be consistent.”

Griezmann reveals stumbling block for Joao Felix in Madrid

Griezmann also noted that Felix’s lack of consistency at Atletico Madrid eventually pushed him out of the club, saying, “There were times when he got tired and didn’t see himself here. That’s why he’s made the effort [to leave], and the club has also made the effort to give him a way out.”

Felix was meant to be Griezmann’s replacement at Atletico Madrid after making a €120 million move to the capital club from Benfica but ended up being replaced by the Frenchman after an underwhelming spell at the club.

Joao Felix won the man of the match in Barcelona's 5-0 demolition of Royal Antwerp || Image credit: Imago
Joao Felix won the man of the match in Barcelona's 5-0 demolition of Royal Antwerp || Image credit: Imago

The two will face off for the first time since Felix joined Barcelona on loan in the summer, with both sides looking to keep pressure on Real Madrid and Girona at the top of the LaLiga table.

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