Joao Felix is better than Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe according to FC Barcelona president Joan … [+] Laporta.
AFP via Getty ImagesFC Barcelona president Joan Laporta appears to rate new signing Joao Felix higher than next generation superstars Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, as reported by SPORT.
Felix finally joined Barca on transfer deadline day last week and will play the duration of the 2023/2024 season with the Catalans on loan.
Landing the Portuguese, even if temporarily, ends a two-and-a-half year chase to see him don Blaugrana.
According to AS, Barca agreed to buy Felix from Atletico Madrid in the January 2022 market only for Financial Fair Play to get in the way.
Earlier this summer, Felix effectively forced his move to the Montjuic Stadium by telling transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano that it was his „dream“ to play for the La Liga champions.
Laporta has used similar language by publicly stating he „loves“ the 23-year-old and his style of play in the past.
Behind closed doors, however, the Barca chief has confessed just how highly he ranks Atleti’s €126 million ($135.5 million) signing to well-known SPORT journalist David Bernabeu.
Bernabeu explained how following an interview one day, he asked the president which player he would sign between forwards Mbappe and Haaland, who are widely-regarded as the next generation’s biggest stars and future Ballon d’Or winners.
Laporta then „rocked his hair“ after the conundrum was put to him, and answered: „You know that if I could, I would bring Joao Felix“.
While Laporta did not outrightly state that he thinks Felix is better than the French World Cup champion and reigning, Norwegian treble king at Manchester City, we can take his words as a revelation of the belief that he probably rates Barca’s new number 14 higher.
Furthermore, given the club’s well-documented economic woes, Mbappe and Haaland are simply out of reach for Barca whereas Felix is a more affordable alternative in the here and now.
It remains to be seen whether Felix gets his career back on track at his temporary new outfit. But even if he does impress, Barca will struggle to buy him outright after he also renewed his contract at the Metropolitano until 2029.
On September 16, Culers will get their first glimpse of Felix up close when Barca host Real Betis at the Montjuic for a league meeting.