Atletico midfielder comments on Felix’s Barcelona move: “Could have done things better”

Joao Felix has experienced an excellent start to his life in Barcelona.

After joining the club on transfer deadline day, the attacker has racked up three goals in three matches, notably starring in the midweek win over Royal Antwerp.

In light of Felix’s promising start at Barcelona, former Atletico Madrid teammate Saul Niguez has spoken about the Portuguese’s performances.

“A great player”

Saul congratulated Felix on his excellent start to the season but said it was rather unfortunate that he couldn’t perform for Atleti.

“A great player, who later turned out to have had the bad luck of not being able to show it in our team. I can’t tell you anything else because as a player he is very good, I can’t tell you anything else,” Saul said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

“Then as a player you have to love, you have to try to adapt, you have to do many things that if he then in his head he was not at his best or in the best way,” he added.

Saul’s comments appear to be a veiled attack on the Portuguese international, who was never quite able to adapt himself to Diego Simeone’s system at Atleti.

Saul on Felix’s exit from Atletico Madrid

Saul wished Felix all the best for his new chapter at Barcelona but maintained his disappointment that he couldn’t perform at Atleti.

“It couldn’t be here, and he wished him all the best. I hope everything goes well at Barça. It is true that he has started very strong,” Saul said.

“I think he could have done things better. He hasn’t done them and I think that has obviously taken its toll on the club and the team,” he added.

Saul’s comments came just before the iconic Madrid derby as Real Madrid lock horns with Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano this weekend.