Several players within FC Barcelona have not exactly pleased the club with their performances. However, much of that is due to both the collective and individual incapabilities of these players. For Barcelona, regaining momentum would first require the players to regain their best versions.
One such player who seems to have lost his best self is Joao Felix. Currently, a loan player who is temporarily a Barcelona asset, Felix is set to return to Atletico Madrid this summer. However, that could potentially not be the case if Barça end up signing him permanently.
However, as things stand, that possibility seems unlikely. He has gradually lost importance this season, and his current reality is quite different from his early fairytale days when everything he touched seemed to turn to gold.
Now, as he continues to struggle to become a starter, he could be presented with an opportunity. As highlighted by SPORT, the upcoming game against Unionistas may be the chance that Felix was hoping to grab.
Set to be Barça’s round of 16 clash in the competition, Unionistas will be a formidable opponent. For Felix, however, they could present a great opportunity to start and make his mark. With Lamine Yamal sanctioned and Raphinha injured, it feels only natural that Felix be a starting forward alongside Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski.
Felix would have been waiting for this chance since some time now. In 2024, the Portuguese forward has only started once for Barcelona. That came in the clash against Barbastro, arguably the least threatening of the encounters Barcelona have thus far dealt with in the new year.
Against Las Palmas, Osasuna, and Real Madrid, Felix started from the bench. Despite his promising cameo against Osasuna, he is yet to regain a starting role.
That is why the clash against Unionistas should offer him a new opening to make use of. While Robert Lewandowski seems to have already found his shooting boots, it is now Felix’s turn.
The Portuguese forward hopes to stay at Barcelona, but he must first earn it. While he is still of a young age, being only 24, he still has to prove his consistency to the club. Given that Atletico Madrid will likely charge a great amount for his transfer, he has to be worth the money first.
