“No player can be greater than the team.”
Diego Simeone (53), head coach of Atletico Madrid (Spain), told reporters at the official press conference for the first leg of the Coupang Playoff Series at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Simeone sent a message to João Felix 메이저사이트(23), who recently caused controversy by publicly expressing his desire to move to Barcelona (Spain), that the team is more important than the individual player.
Felix’s future has been in the spotlight recently, having previously left for a six-month loan spell at Chelsea (England) during the winter transfer window in January and returned earlier this month, but he wants to leave Atletico Madrid completely this summer. He hopes to end his association with the club, especially after clashing with Simeone over playing time and tactical roles since last year.
Although Felix accompanied Simeone on his visit, he has already lost his number seven shirt to Antoine Griezmann (32) ahead of the new season, and it is believed to be “only a matter of time” before he leaves the club completely. In the meantime, he has been linked with Barcelona, Newcastle United, Manchester United (England) and Paris Saint-Germain (France).
Felix, in particular, has publicly stated that he wants to move to Barcelona. According to European soccer transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, he said, “It’s been my ‘dream club’ since I was a kid. A move to Barcelona would be a dream come true,” he said, adding, “I hope to join this summer.”
However, Felix’s move to Barcelona is virtually impossible, as the club is in financial trouble and cannot afford to pay a huge transfer fee. As a result, he has become a ‘lame duck’ and has recently been linked with a loan move to ‘parent club’ Benfica (Portugal).
Atletico Madrid fans were unhappy when Felix publicly declared that he wanted to leave the club in favor of their ‘rivals’ in the Spanish Primera Liga, Barcelona. Furthermore, they have been criticizing the player. Then Simeone weighed in.
“The most important thing is that no one can be above the team. “The most important thing is that no one is above the team,” he said. “Players must always be responsible while they are in the team. They have to show dedication and sacrifice,” he said. “No player can be greater than the team,” he reiterated.
Photos: Getty Images, Goal.com