The best talents across the world have always found a home with Barcelona. Many iconic greats of the game have donned the famous Blaugrana colors at some point in their careers, and this proud tradition is one that has not wavered even as the Catalan giants struggle with their financial woes.
Two of the biggest names currently echoing around the world of football are none other than Norwegian goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland and the ever-dazzling Frenchman Kylian Mbappe.
The epitome of footballing talent in this current climate of the game, there are few who would not wish to take either of the two superstars in their team as their very first pick if given the chance or option. Surprisingly enough, however, it appears that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is among those few.
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, the Barcelona president has always had a soft spot for 23-year-old Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix and has been a great admirer of him since quite a long while.
While he did not particularly mention the Portuguese forward during that time, the report claims that he was infatuated by Felix’s playing capabilities ever since his SL Benfica days. Having always likened him to Barca legend Johan Cruyff, Laporta considers Felix to have that same capability of being a difference-maker in his team.
According to David Bernabeu, Laporta even once specifically mentioned this in a private conversation with him that he would sign Felix over the likes of Mbappe and Haaland, stating: “You know that if I could, I would bring Joao Felix.”
More than two years later, it appears that Joan Laporta has managed to complete that goal of his and Barcelona have even given Felix the iconic 14 worn by Johan Cruyff himself, something Laporta may potentially have had a hand in.
Hoping he brings the same joy to fans of La Blaugrana that Johan Cruyff once did so majestically well, Laporta’s bet on Felix is one that not many may agree with but only time will tell if the new Barcelona recruit will leave behind a season to remember during his chance in the 2023/2024 campaign.
