Atlético de Madrid seems willing to give Joao Félix as much training as possible this summer. Unlike in 2023, Diego Simeone has not hesitated to count on the Portuguese in the first friendly for which he was available, reappearing this Saturday with a goal against Getafe (1-3). The one from Viseo put on the 'red and white' shirt again a year and a half later, starting at the Alfonso Pérez Coliseum against a 'blue' team that posed little resistance to the 'colchoneros'.
'Cholo' opted for Joao, Arthur Vermeeren and Ángel Correa as forwards. The Argentine and the Portuguese led the 'Aleti' attack from the start, with the '10' scoring the first goal in the 38th minute. 12 minutes earlier, Félix had shaken the crossbar with a powerful shot. Just before the break, both players teamed up so that the playmaker, who wore the number '21' on his return, scored a beautiful goal against David Soria with a remarkable finish.
The Viseo player celebrated timidly, but his teammates supported him in the celebration, mainly Antonie Griezmann. The Frenchman is probably the one who best understands the Portuguese's situation, as he experienced a similar case after his return to Atlético in 2021 after two seasons in Barcelona. The Frenchman had to work hard to earn the 'forgiveness' of the Metropolitan, although his relationship with Simeone, unlike the Portuguese international, was never broken.
Joao Félix seeks to get a quote, while he seems to move further away from Barça
For Joao, beyond the rumors, his roadmap coincides with that of the 'colchonero' team in terms of making the most of the preseason to show himself. With Benfica the only team, at the moment, really interested in signing him, the playmaker and his club will wait until the last day of the market to resolve his future. Barça seems to have ruled him out completely, as the signing of Nico Williams will leave him without a position. If a new loan or transfer is not resolved, the Portuguese will have no other option but to try to iron out differences with 'Cholo' and fight for a position, at least, between now and the next winter market.