On-loan Atlético Madrid star João Félix has today spoken out on what awaits him on a personal level, in his return to Spain’s capital this weekend.
The headline fixture of the round in La Liga is of course set to play out at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday night.
The matchup in question will see the aforementioned Félix’s Barcelona make the trip to Madrid, for a showdown between 3rd and 4th in the table.
The matchup comes as a significant one for a whole host of reasons, not only owing to the battle for a top-4 berth in Spain’s top-flight.
In addition, it will act as a potential preview for the Champions League’s semi-finals, after Barca and Atléti were afforded spots on the same side of the draw in Europe’s elite club competition earlier today.
And finally comes the return of the aforementioned João Félix to his former home.
Frontman Félix is of course currently in the midst of a one-year loan spell with Barcelona, from Atlético.
Despite still being owned by the latter, the Portuguese did not hesitate in making clear his allegiance to his current club, though, after netting the only goal in the prior meeting between the sides back in December.
Speaking to the media on Friday, it therefore came as little surprise when the frosty reception likely awaiting him at the Metropolitano was put to Félix himself.
During an interview with DAZN, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, however, the 24-year-old appeared unphased.
In fact, after first commenting that Sunday’s environment will inevitably come as a ‘complicated’ one, Félix went on to hint at his excitement at what will mark an occasion with added ‘spice’:
“I am clear that it is going to be a very complicated environment for the entire team. Of course against me it is going to be a little worse, but I’m a football player, I have to be used to these type of things.
“Of course, I will never lose focus on football, on the team. Because I think that’s the most important thing. All this motivates me more. I like these important games, the games that are spicy. I like that, it gives me extra motivation. It’s going to be a very good game.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
