Atletico Madrid have literally ignited their ongoing row with Joao Felix ahead of facing Barcelona tonight.
The Portuguese international incurred the wrath of the Los Rojiblancos faithful ahead of the 2023/24 season after publicly pushing to join Barcelona.
The two clubs eventually agreed a late deal to allow Felix to make the move to Catalonia on a season long loan after falling out of favour in Madrid.
Felix has endured a mixed campaign at Barcelona and La Blaugrana are uncertain over activating their option to retain him next season.
A winning goal against Atletico Madrid in the reverse fixture, at the end of 2023, only deepened the animosity and Felix wants to leave Atletico.
Ahead of tonight’s key showdown, Atletico fans showed their feelings towards Felix, by burning a shirt with his name on the back, outside the Estadio Metropolitano.
🚨Atletico Madrid fans make their feelings clear on Joao Felix 👀🇵🇹 https://t.co/uKs9HiDdzA
— Football España (@footballespana_) March 17, 2024
João Félix’s plaque outside the Metropolitano.
📸 @intothecalderon pic.twitter.com/uAmMYeHVoP
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) March 17, 2024
Felix starts for Barcelona, and he is expected to have a key role, in a crucial top four battle in the Spanish capital.
