Atlético: Joao Félix unveiled, sorry Griezmann saga drags on
Atlético Madrid's star summer signing, Joao Félix, was yesterday presented to the media and, by extension, the LaLiga club's fans. It was a simple, to-the-point event. Félix's natural talent, rapid rise and eye-watering fee mean he has been earmarked for stardom. But, at the same time, the 19-year-old gives the impression of being a sensible, down-to-earth lad. He might just go on to achieve the extraordinary, but for now his task is to fill the boots of Antoine Griezmann, Atlético's most recent idol. An idol who, by the way, won't be remembered fondly at all at the club. They did more for him than vice versa. By quite a distance.
Museo del Prado photos were a great idea
I thought it was a great idea to announce Félix's signing with a photo shoot at the Museo del Prado last week. It was a nice little nod to one of Madrid's most estimable features. The notion that Atlético represent the capital's beating heart, and that Real Madrid have accrued much of their fanbase from madrileños whose roots really lie elsewhere, is one their supporters have long sought to promote. Personally, I've never felt that was the case, or seen why that should matter too much; but that doesn't mean I'm not firmly in favour of the idea of having Félix pose for photos in front of a gallery that is among the finest things Madrid has to offer.
Meanwhile, we continue to wait and see whether Griezmann will finally leave the Wanda Metropolitano. It's a situation which, between them, the three parties involved should have managed to avoid, particularly Barcelona. It was they who decided to again pursue a player who had said no to them last year, it was they who then hesitated over Neymar or Griezmann, and it is their responsibility to find a resolution to this quarrel between two major European clubs, of which only one has done nothing wrong. Barça president Josep María Bartomeu has not shown the proper levels of professional courtesy to his colleagues at Atlético.