João Félix names Barcelona as his dream return but insists no move is imminent

João Félix has publicly identified Barcelona as his preferred destination if he were to return to Europe, describing his loan spell at the club as a boyhood dream fulfilled — but the Portuguese forward was equally clear that no move is on the horizon, and that he remains settled at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

The comments came in an interview with Diario AS, cited by Mundo Deportivo, and contain no suggestion of active negotiations, an approach from any club, or a defined timeline. They read as a statement of long-term personal preference rather than the opening of a transfer process.

From Atlético’s record signing to the Saudi Pro League

Félix arrived at Atlético Madrid from Benfica in 2019 as the club’s most expensive signing in their history, a distinction he still holds. His time under Diego Simeone was, by his own admission, a mixed experience — one that included a La Liga title but also prolonged stretches of inconsistency and frustration. He has since left the Spanish capital and is now playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, where his form has reportedly recovered.

What Félix said about Atlético and Barcelona

Asked about his years under Simeone, Félix said he holds no regrets about joining Atlético at a young age, framing the experience as a formative chapter in his development as both a player and a person. He acknowledged the difficult periods but said he always tried to give his best for the team.

His tone was noticeably warmer when the subject turned to Barcelona, where he spent time on loan from Atlético. Félix described the experience as making him very happy, calling it a dream he had shared with his father and brother since childhood. He added that he still follows Barcelona more closely than any other Spanish club, including Atlético.

He was equally emphatic about one club he would not consider. Félix ruled out any move to Real Madrid, saying it would make him the biggest traitor in the sport’s history.

No date, no club, no deal

Crucially, Félix stopped well short of signalling that a return to La Liga is close. He framed any European comeback in vague, future terms, and Mundo Deportivo’s report names no interested party, no transfer fee, and no negotiating timeline. Nothing in the interview indicates that Atlético, Barcelona, or any other La Liga club has made contact.

For now, Félix’s comments amount to a public declaration of affection for Barcelona and a door left deliberately ajar — not a transfer story with moving parts, but one that will inevitably fuel speculation given the continued attention on attacking options across Spain’s top clubs.