The world of football is a strange one, especially when players are playing and scoring against their former clubs, as seen in João Félix’s match against his parent club Atlético Madrid for Barcelona in last night’s Spanish La Liga Matchday 15 fixture at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. João Félix, the 24-year-old forward from Viseu, Portugal, scored the only goal in the game for the Catalan Giants, and he surely did not hide himself for celebrating his effort against Diego Simeone’s Atlético, whom he left on loan during the last summer transfer window.
João Félix Haunted His Former Employers
While it is forbidden in the English Premier League to have loan players playing against their parent clubs, the same does not apply to the Spanish top-flight football, which allowed João Félix to feature in Barca’s game against his ex-club Atlético Madrid yesterday. The Portuguese forward was inserted into the starting lineup in Xavi’s first 11, with hopes that he can help the team to rank up in the league table with a good performance.
To Xavi’s and the team’s amazement, João Félix did repay their faith by breaking the deadlock minutes before the half hour mark. The 24-year-old capped off a great attacking team play by the home side that started from the back. Jules Koundé received the ball around the half-way line, before he found Raphinha at the opponents’ half, who then cut it into the middle and set up João Félix with a through ball. The latter had to thank Nahuel Molina for a deflection that allowed him to have an one-on-one opportunity against Jan Oblak, and the Portuguese striker intelligently chipped the ball over his former teammate.
João Félix made sure his feelings were known to both sets of fans, as he did not hesitate to celebrate his goal against his parent club Atlético Madrid in this much anticipated La Liga matchup. The 24-year-old former S.L. Benfica and Chelsea man was seen standing on the advertising boards and performed Jude Bellingham’s iconic celebration by opening both of his arms wide, an action that surprised the board, management personnel, players and fans from the Atlético camp. Barca would go on to win the match 1-0 with João Félix’s winning goal.
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Joao Felix celebrating against his employers Atletico Madrid 😯🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/06wqiRMX8I
— LaLigaExtra (@LaLigaExtra) December 3, 2023
Five Goals and Three Assists in 17 Games for Barcelona
With his production yesterday, João Félix brought his season tally in the 2023/2024 Season to five goals and three assists for Barcelona in addition to keeping the defending Spanish champions to be on track in their title defence campaign, with only four points separating them from the top two spots, which are occupied by arch-rivals Real Madrid and Girona FC at 38 points each.
In light of his performance and his celebration after scoring the winning goal against his former club Atlético, the player on loan at Barcelona said: “People have been talking about me all week, but I don’t pay attention to that. I’m just doing my job. I don’t care what people say, I work every day to become better. The celebration was spontaneous. It was a release of what I had been through last summer. It was for my family.”
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Will Barcelona Sign João Félix?
Xavi’s Barcelona are certainly happy with both of their Portuguese loanees João Félix and João Cancelo at the moment, and talks have reportedly begun for them to make the deals permanently from Atlético Madrid and Manchester City. However, the completion of the signings of both Joãos will not come easy due to Barca’s financial struggles in recent years.
What do you think about the possible permanent deals for João Félix and João Cancelo as a fan of Barcelona or football? Leave us your thoughts down in the comment section below now!