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Diego Simeone, the manager of Atletico Madrid, has opened up about the possibility of Kylian Mbappe joining Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentine coach, who has led his team to two La Liga titles and two Champions League finals, said he would not be worried about facing the French star in the Spanish league.
Simeone recalled that his team had won the league in 2014 against a Barcelona side that featured Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Alexis Sanchez, Xavi Hernandez, and Sergio Busquets. He said that he was proud of his players for overcoming such a formidable opponent and that he would always welcome the challenge of facing the best teams and players in the world.
“I would love it, it would be extraordinary for La Liga, to ensure it remains among the best. All footballers who come to Spain are a boost,” Simeone said, “Madrid has no economic problem to afford it. Surely, if not this year, the following year we will be competing against him.”
When asked whether the winger’s arrival will make it more difficult for Athletico to compete he said, “Depending on how you look at it. We’ve won a league against Messi, Iniesta, Alexis, Xavi, Busquets… Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema… It’s football, not names.”
Mbappe, who is widely regarded as one of the most talented and prolific forwards in the world, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for several years. Mbappe has not renewed his contract beyond next year and PSG are set to sell him this summer. According to various reports, PSG are said to be demanding around 230 million euros ($270 million) for Mbappe, which would make him the most expensive player in history.
Ask him: Simeone blunt on Joao Felix saga
Joao Felix joined Atletico from Benfica in 2019 for a record-breaking fee of more than €120 million and has been unhappy at the club for a long time. The winger has struggled to adapt to Simeone's defensive style and system and has often been relegated to the bench or substituted early. He has also had several clashes with the coach and the sporting director, Andrea Berta, as well as some of his teammates.
Last season, Joao Felix was loaned out to Chelsea FC in January, where he failed to impress. and returned to Atletico this summer, but his situation has not improved. He has trained alone due to some physical discomfort and has been involved in tense conversations with Berta and Simeone.
According to various reports, Joao Felix wants to leave Atletico as soon as possible and has informed the club of his desire. The Portuguese himself expressed his desire to play for Barcelona, Madrid's direct rival, which isn’t gone well with the club and its fans. Simeone, however, said he is not concerned about Joao Felix's situation and that he is focused on his own team and the upcoming season. He said he respects Joao Felix as a player and a person, but that he has nothing to do with his transfer.
"The big focus is the team. It is normal that in the press, the focus is on whether he stays or leaves. I already said that there is no one more important than the club, with no exceptions. It’s impossible to be clearer than that." Simeone said this in an interview with MARCA.
When asked about Joao Felix's future, Simeone was even more direct and said he does not know what Joao Felix wants or what he will do, and that he is not involved in his decision. “He has extraordinary ability, we have talked about it a billion times. You see him and he has a good header, a good shot with the left, with the right, good spin, one on one… When [will he triumph]? It’s not up to me, ask him and his representative," Simeone said.
He also mentioned that Felix has given his best for the club, and these questions are to be asked of Felix or his representatives. He further emphasizes that no player is bigger than the club. With Ousmane Dembele likely to move to PSG, Barcelona could look toward Felix as an attacking option. Dembele’s PSG move is not concrete yet and Atleti will try to sell off Felix as soon as possible.
