A headline member of the defensive ranks at La Liga giants Atlético Madrid has on Friday sent some advice the way of former teammate João Félix.
The name of frontman Félix has of course positioned itself front and centre in the headlines in Spain once more across the day to date.
As much comes after Atlético president Enrique Cerezo hinted that the best route forward for all parties would be for the 24-year-old to stay put at Barcelona beyond the end of his loan in the summer:
“He is playing for Barcelona and the normal thing is that he wants to stay there,” Cerezo began, as cited by Mundo Deportivo. “Barcelona want him and love him, so everyone is happy. Besides, they will be lucky because Barcelona get a great player. João is a magnificent player. He has fit in very well at Barcelona, he is doing very well, and what we wish him is all the luck in the world.”
And, as alluded to above, late this evening, a similar message has been echoed by a member of the playing setup in Spain’s capital.
Speaking in an interview with Deportes COPE, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, José María Giménez was first drawn on his relationship with Félix, after the pair were involved in more than one heated on-pitch exchange earlier this season.
Stopper Giménez, fresh off a return from injury, however, assured that:
“Off the pitch there will never be any conflict with João. We appreciate him a lot and he knows that I love him very much and if he does well I am happy.”
From here, attentions inevitably turned towards the Portuguese’s future, and the strong possibility that Félix has already played his final game in Atlético colours.
And Giménez, in the knowledge that his ex-teammate has already made clear his desire to stay put at Barcelona, went on to add:
“I really wish him the best and if the best thing for him is not to come back to Atlético and not stay here, good luck to him in his career! As a teammate, he always had respect and that is what remains.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
