Atletico Madrid News
€120 million Atletico Madrid forward wants January exit due to ‘unsustainable’ situation
According to a report from El Partidazo de COPE, Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix wants to leave the club in the January transfer window as he believes that his situation has become ‘unsustainable’.
The 22-year-old forward joined Atletico from SL Benfica in the summer of 2019 in a deal worth a massive €120 million. However, things have not worked out as per plans for the Portuguese international as he has never failed to kick on as expected in Diego Simeone’s side.
During the second half of the last season, he showed some signs of resurgence in form, which prompted him to turn down advances from the likes of Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
However, Joao Felix finds himself warming the benches more often than not this season, leading to building frustrations within the forward.
Indeed, Simeone is currently preferring the likes of Alvaro Morata, Antoine Griezmann, Matheus Cunha and Angel Correa ahead of the Portuguese forward.
The 22-year-old has drawn some ire from the Atleti fanbase for his touchline antics as well as his activity on social media. After not being called on to make an appearance from the bench against Club Brugge on Wednesday, he was seen throwing his bib to the ground in anger.
While Simeone did not react to the incident after the game, there is a sense that things might not be okay between the manager and the forward.
There had been some rumours about the Argentine tactician’s own future at Atletico due to their poor start to the season.
But he has the confidence of the management and Felix believes that Cholo will remain at the club next season and sees his own situation as ‘unsustainable’. Hence, he is now keen on leaving the club as early as the January window. Whether such a move materialises remains to be seen.
Joao Felix has played 11 matches so far this season, but is yet to score a goal.
Atletico Madrid News
UEFA open investigation against multiple Real Madrid players over celebration vs Atletico
More than two weeks after Real Madrid’s controversial win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16, UEFA has sent quite the shockwave to the defending European champions.
In a recent statement, UEFA has announced they have started an open investigation against a series of Real Madrid players for the way they celebrated after winning against Atletico Madrid, about two weeks back.
What is the investigation about?
As reported by MARCA, the European governing body is specifically looking into the actions of Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Dani Ceballos, and Vinicius Jr.
The controversy stems from Real Madrid’s celebrations after knocking out city rivals Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
The celebrations took place near the section of the stadium occupied by Real Madrid supporters, but some actions by the players have drawn scrutiny.
“A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct by Real Madrid CF players (Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Daniel Ceballos Fernandez and Vinicius Junior) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match between Club Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid on 12 March 2025,” UEFA said in an official statement.
Rudiger is being investigated for a gesture in which he placed his hand around his neck, while Mbappe reportedly made an inappropriate gesture by touching his genitals.
Vinicius, on the other hand, was involved in heated interactions with Atletico fans both before and after the match, while Ceballos was seen enthusiastically joining the celebrations.
The celebrations from Real Madrid players drew hostility from Atletico Madrid fans for obvious reasons, with the opposition fans resorting to throwing bottles on the pitch.
Jude Bellingham was even among the ones hit by these throwing objects from Atleti fans while Vinicius pointed to the Real Madrid crest on his shirt, which might have played a role in further fuming tension.
Rodrygo, on the other hand, responded to the hostility from Atleti fans by dancing inside the pitch.
UEFA has appointed an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to review the incidents, although it is very much likely that Real Madrid would appeal against any sanctions placed on the event of any breach.
