Report: Joao Felix told Atletico Madrid he wanted to leave when Antoine Griezmann returned

Originally posted on Football Espana | By Ruairidh Barlow | Last updated Dec 6, 2023 11:56 AM ET

Relations between Joao Felix and Atletico Madrid are solely contractual these days. Whatever feeling was left between the two was scrapped by the Portuguese’s aggressive attitude and joy against them over the weekend. Yet the discontent between the two had been bubbling between the two before he left on loan for Chelsea this January.

Felix had never managed to show the consistency of effort nor productivity that Diego Simeone required of him. Hence it is no surprise that he was keen on bringing Antoine Griezmann back to the team in order to be his offensive director. Much to the dismay of Felix.

Directo: Maratón de Copa+Bryan Zaragoza ficha por el Bayern Múnich con @RafaelLamelasjr+Diego Alonso se la juega en Astorga @14eduSanina + Valencia pasa apuros @SalvaGomis97+ Tertulia Atleti @Borja_Aranda_ @nachodonado y @Pepepasques #ClubUria93 https://t.co/n1XiHxHz0f

— Rubén Uría (@rubenuria) December 6, 2023

According to Ruben Uria, who was speaking on his Twitch channel but was quoted by Objetivo Atletico, Simeone spoke to the dressing room about the possibility of Griezmann returning last season, with all but Felix pleased with the idea. Reportedly, he told the club that he did not want to wear the Atletico Madrid shirt any longer.

| When the possibility of Antoine Griezmann's return to Atlético Madrid arose, Diego Simeone went to discuss it in the locker room, and all the players were happy, except João Félix.

Once he found out, he told the club that he no longer wanted to wear the Atleti jersey.

[:… pic.twitter.com/DY05omiXk3

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) December 6, 2023

Uria has been well-connected at Atletico Madrid for some time, and generally is a reliable source, but there is no doubt the news comes as something of a surprise. Early on in last season Felix was starting games (with Griezmann restricted to 30-minute cameos), and the Frenchman was regularly posting happy pictures with Felix on social media. Many thought that the elder creator could be the positive influence that Felix required.

This article first appeared on Football Espana and was syndicated with permission.

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