Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann has suggested that Joao Felix never adjusted to Diego Simeone's demands for the Rojiblancos.
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Griezmann claimed Joao Felix was "tired" of managerPortuguese forward went on loan to BarcelonaBarca and Atletico play on Sunday in title deciderWHAT HAPPENED?
Felix endured a mixed three years at Atleti before being sent on loan twice in the last nine months. He joined fellow Portuguese Joao Cancelo at Barca in September, but has endured a mixed start to life in Catalunya.
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In an interview with Griezmann, a former Barca player himself, revealed why Felix never settled in Madrid: "In the end when you get here you know more or less what the coach is like, what the team is like, you adapt and work for it or things don't work out for you."
The attacking midfielder also seemed to suggest that Felix won't play for the club again: "You have to be constant and there came a time when he got tired, he couldn't see himself here anymore and that's why he and the club made the effort to give him a way out."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Felix has shown an interest at staying in Barcelona, but it seems that any deal to keep him in Catalunya would be complicated. The Blaugrana are struggling financially, and likely wouldn't be able to meet the Rojiblancos' asking price. Atleti paid a €126 million (£111m/$143m) fee to bring him in from Benfica in 2019.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GRIEZMANN
Griezmann will face off against his former club on Sunday. The two teams will meet at the Olympic Stadium, where Griezmann's side will look to snatch three crucial points to establish themselves as La Liga title contenders.