Joao Felix has revealed how he views the idea of having played for Real Madrid after representing both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona during his eventful career.
The Portugal international has already experienced some of the biggest rivalries in European football. He spent several years under contract with Atletico Madrid, later joined Barcelona on loan, and also played for Chelsea and AC Milan before establishing himself at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
Given his history with both Atletico and Barcelona, Felix was asked about the possibility of completing another controversial chapter by joining Real Madrid.
His response was emphatic. Felix suggested that representing all three major Madrid and Barcelona clubs would have created an extraordinary perception around his career. Rather than expressing regret, however, he said he was proud of his time at Barcelona and comfortable with how his career developed.
Joao Felix Rules Out Real Madrid Scenario
Felix was asked about the possibility of playing for Real Madrid after already wearing the shirts of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
The 26-year-old responded by joking that such a move would have made him the “biggest traitor in football.” He also made it clear that he greatly enjoyed his time at Barcelona.
Speaking to O Jogo, Felix said:
“He would have been the biggest traitor in football. No, no, no. I really enjoyed being in Barcelona. Well, yes, I missed out on Real Madrid, but I’m proud to have played for Barcelona.”
His comments underline the significance he places on his Barcelona spell, despite the fact that his career began with Atletico Madrid in Spain.
The hypothetical Real Madrid move would have been particularly sensitive because of the intense rivalry between Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Felix’s career has already taken him across two sides of that rivalry, making a move to the third especially notable.
Felix’s Complicated Spanish Football Journey
Felix’s connection with Atletico Madrid began in 2019 when the Spanish club paid Benfica €126 million for the teenage forward.
The transfer made Felix one of the most expensive young players in football history at the time and created enormous expectations around his future in Madrid.
He remained under contract with Atletico from 2019 until 2024. However, his time at the club eventually became complicated, and he was sent out on loan to Chelsea and Barcelona.
The Barcelona spell gave Felix an opportunity to experience one of Spanish football’s biggest clubs from the inside. He subsequently made his move to Chelsea permanent in 2024 before another loan spell took him to AC Milan.
His career has therefore included a number of high-profile moves despite him still being only 26 years old.
| Club | Felix’s Connection |
|---|---|
| Benfica | Developed before major move to Atletico Madrid |
| Atletico Madrid | Joined in 2019 for €126 million |
| Chelsea | First joined on loan before permanent move in 2024 |
| Barcelona | Represented the club on loan |
| AC Milan | Joined on loan from Chelsea |
| Al-Nassr | Joined in 2025 |
Why Barcelona Holds a Special Place for Felix
Felix’s comments suggest that his experience at Barcelona remains particularly meaningful to him.
The Portuguese forward acknowledged that he missed out on a potential opportunity to play for Real Madrid, but he immediately emphasized his pride in representing Barcelona.
That distinction is important. Rather than framing his career around the club he did not join, Felix focused on the opportunity he actually received at Camp Nou.
His Barcelona spell also came during a period when the Portuguese forward was attempting to establish greater consistency after an increasingly complicated relationship with Atletico Madrid.
Although his time in Catalonia was temporary, Felix’s comments indicate that he valued the experience.
Felix Has Found His Rhythm at Al-Nassr
After several moves across European football, Felix has found a more settled environment at Al-Nassr.
The Portuguese attacker joined the Saudi Arabian club in 2025 for a reported £26.2 million and quickly became an important part of the team.
His performances have been particularly productive in front of goal and as a creator.
According to the supplied statistics, Felix has made 55 appearances for Cristiano Ronaldo’s side, scoring 30 goals and providing 22 assists.
Those numbers represent 52 direct goal contributions in 55 appearances, underlining his involvement in Al-Nassr’s attacking output.
Felix was also described as playing a pivotal role in Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League title-winning campaign last season, while being named the league’s Player of the Season.
A New Chapter After Years of Uncertainty
Felix’s move to Al-Nassr followed several seasons in which his club future repeatedly changed.
After joining Atletico Madrid as a teenager, he experienced loan spells at Chelsea and Barcelona before making a permanent move to Chelsea. Another loan spell at AC Milan followed before his eventual transfer to Saudi Arabia.
That sequence means Felix has already played for several major European clubs before reaching his mid-20s.
At Al-Nassr, however, he has produced consistent attacking numbers and become an established part of the squad.
The move has also placed him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most recognizable players in world football.
Felix’s Career Has Crossed Major Rivalries
Few players experience the opportunity to represent clubs involved in such significant rivalries. Felix’s career has taken him through Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, two clubs with very different identities and competitive relationships with Real Madrid.
His time at Atletico gave him direct experience of the Madrid derby, while his Barcelona spell placed him inside the famous rivalry with Real Madrid.
That history explains why the idea of Felix joining Real Madrid would have attracted attention even though it never happened.
His own comments suggest that he understands the significance of such a move. By describing the hypothetical transfer in such strong terms, Felix acknowledged the reaction that could have followed if he had represented all three clubs.
Trent Alexander-Arnold Also Linked With Transfer Rumors
The same discussion around Real Madrid also includes speculation surrounding another former Liverpool player: Trent Alexander-Arnold.
According to reports referenced in the supplied material, Liverpool and several other Premier League clubs are monitoring Alexander-Arnold’s situation at Real Madrid.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have also reportedly been linked with the England international.
Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2025 after establishing himself as one of Liverpool’s most influential players.
However, reports have suggested that he has not yet secured a regular starting position at the Santiago Bernabeu and could consider a return to the Premier League.
These reports remain transfer speculation rather than confirmation of an imminent move.
Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool Legacy
Before joining Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold spent his entire senior Liverpool career with his boyhood club after progressing through its academy.
He made 354 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 23 goals and providing 92 assists according to the supplied statistics.
The right-back also won every major trophy with the Reds during his time at Anfield.
His attacking ability, passing range and creativity made him an important part of Liverpool’s successful period under their previous management structure.
A potential return to England would therefore represent another major chapter in his career, although no completed transfer has been established by the information provided.
How Felix and Alexander-Arnold’s Situations Differ
Felix’s comments and the Alexander-Arnold transfer reports involve very different circumstances.
Felix was discussing a hypothetical move to a club he never joined, while Alexander-Arnold is already a Real Madrid player and is being linked with a possible return to the Premier League.
| Player | Current Club | Transfer Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Joao Felix | Al-Nassr | Discussed a hypothetical Real Madrid move |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | Real Madrid | Reportedly attracting Premier League interest |
The contrast highlights how footballers’ careers can take very different routes. Felix has moved between several clubs and leagues, while Alexander-Arnold made his name at one club before taking on a new challenge in Spain.
What Felix’s Comments Tell Us About His Career
Felix’s answer is also revealing because it shows that he does not view his career purely through the clubs he could have represented.
He acknowledged that Real Madrid was an opportunity he missed but immediately emphasized his pride in having played for Barcelona.
That perspective comes after several years of changes in his club career. Instead of focusing on the hypothetical move, Felix appears comfortable discussing the experiences he actually had.
His current form at Al-Nassr has also provided a new dimension to his career. After spending several seasons moving between clubs, he has produced strong attacking numbers in Saudi Arabia.
Key Takeaways From Joao Felix’s Real Madrid Comments
- Joao Felix was asked about the possibility of joining Real Madrid after representing Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
- The Portugal international joked that such a move would have made him football’s “biggest traitor.”
- Felix said he was proud to have played for Barcelona.
- Atletico Madrid signed Felix from Benfica for €126 million in 2019.
- Felix later played for Chelsea, Barcelona and AC Milan before joining Al-Nassr.
- He has recorded 30 goals and 22 assists in 55 appearances for Al-Nassr, according to the supplied statistics.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly attracting Premier League interest after joining Real Madrid in 2025.
What Comes Next for Joao Felix?
At 26, Felix still has considerable time left in his playing career, and his current spell at Al-Nassr could provide an opportunity to establish greater stability after several years of movement between clubs.
His reported performances in Saudi Arabia have been productive, with 30 goals and 22 assists in 55 appearances. Maintaining that level of output will be important as he continues his career away from European club football.
For now, there appears to be little reason to revisit the hypothetical Real Madrid move. Felix has made his feelings clear about his Barcelona experience, while his current focus is on Al-Nassr.
Final Verdict
Joao Felix’s comments offer an interesting perspective on the unusual path his career has taken. After representing Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, the Portugal international understands why a move to Real Madrid would have generated a significant reaction.
Rather than dwelling on the opportunity he missed, Felix emphasized his pride in having played for Barcelona. His comments also reflect how strongly club rivalries can shape the perception surrounding transfers between major Spanish teams.
His career has since moved beyond La Liga, with Al-Nassr becoming an important chapter. The forward has produced 30 goals and 22 assists in 55 appearances for the Saudi club based on the supplied statistics, while also being named Saudi Pro League Player of the Season.
Meanwhile, reports surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold show that Real Madrid continues to be part of major transfer discussions involving high-profile players. However, the situations of Felix and Alexander-Arnold remain separate, with Felix reflecting on a move that never happened and Alexander-Arnold facing reported interest from Premier League clubs.
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