Self-sacrifice, resurrection, hope. That's what came to play for FC Barcelona to land the two Portuguese stars. It's been a road full of thorns for Barcelona in all aspects. That is, until Xavi came in. And then the roses began to sprout in Camp Nou.
The latest two, of Portuguese variety, have endured their own adversities prior to snatching the chance of blooming once again in Barcelona. Where have they been?
JOÃO FELIX, THE BENFICA WONDERKID
Felix broke into the scene as a superb attacking midfielder/forward for Benfica in the 18/19 season. Right from his emergence, it was clear that he was meant for the biggest stages, and it didn't take long for the big clubs to come calling. 26 goal contributions in 37 games for Benfica in all competitions led to him capturing the Golden Boy award that year.
THE STUMBLE
His next choice of club was a curious one, to say the least. Maybe Atlético Madrid were the only ones prepared to meet Benfica's high financial demands at the time, but everyone knew it was a wrong move for Felix. Diego Simeone's style of play simply doesn't fit into his. For someone who loves to have the ball, manipulate the half spaces and link constantly with teammates, he was asked to sit back and observe, play the spectator for most of the game while on the pitch, spending so little time on the ball. While there were players built for such style in Atleti, Felix wasn't one of them.
Thus began his journey through the wilderness. For four years, we didn't see the real João Felix. That didn't sit right with us the fans who followed him from Benfica, and last season, João himself had had enough. It was either going to be him or Simeone. Someone had to give. And since Simeone is more or less etched in the annals of Atleti's history, it was going to be Felix.
His football depression continued at Chelsea, a team without so much as a foundation to build on. This was no team for a player looking to reignite the fire within. Obviously, he showed signs of his quality, something Chelsea didn't possess, but the the overall instability of the team truncated his shine and he faltered once again. Many began to wonder if João Felix was….done.
THE CHOICE
At that point, returning to Atletico Madrid was off the table, as his relationship with Simeone was damaged beyond repair. He then famously came out to declare his intentions of playing for Barcelona, a move that shook the summer window and kept everyone on their toes. There was no way he was playing for Atleti after that. It was either going to be Barcelona or Saudi Arabia. The latter were in the best position financially to make the move, as were other clubs in Europe, and Atleti wanted big money for him.
But he wanted only Barcelona.
Luckily for him, Barça president Joan Laporta was always a big fan, and owing to a cordial relationship with Jorge Mendes, Felix's agent, the talks to materialize the move began. It looked a herculean task due to Barça's financial position, but they were going to try until the last day, and João was prepared to wait.
Deadline day fast approached, and after the successful coup of the other João, the Felix train took off pretty quickly. João Felix had to make a big sacrifice to ensure the move, and he did it without blinking an eye.
And just like that, on a loan move from Atleti, João Felix was a Barcelona player.
FITTING IN LIKE A GLOVE
Everyone knows the system Xavi likes to play. We saw it when he first came, halfway through the 21/22 season. 2 wingers who can stretch the play, combine with the FBs, have 1v1 prowess, and also help increase the compactness of the midfield when off the ball were crucial. Ferran Torres and Ousmane Dembele provided these to a great extent, even though Ferran is far better on the right. And then there was Aubameyang, the quintessential striker.
Xavi has gotten a lot of stick recently because of his embodiment of the 4 man midfield, but his critics forget something. Due to the vulnerability Busquets brings when the opponent is in transition, Xavi had to increase protection in midfield. Also, Ansu Fati is for now, not the ideal left winger Xavi wants, even though he's getting back to his best. Ez Abde, for all his shining parts, was yet to fully prove why he deserved as much playing time as he clamoured for.
Enter João Felix.
Many forget that João Felix began his career as an attacking midfielder, who morphs into a pure forward on occasion. He has all the attributes required for that left wing in this system. Great pace, great intelligence, innate ability to manipulate half spaces, increase the compactness of the midfield when off the ball, decent work rate and of course, a big eye for goals. This is apart from the fact that he can play centrally too.
We saw a slight glimpse when he came off the bench in injury time against Osasuna, but proof as to why João Felix fits Xavi's system like a glove was on full display against Real Betis at the Montjuic. He combined extremely well with the midfield and attack, while lending enough support to Alejandro Balde. Frankly, Xavi has never had this kind of quality in his team until now.
João Felix has the potential to be a big hit for Barcelona this season, a thought equally shared by the Atletico Madrid president. The only way is up.
He thought he chose the surest road in Atletico Madrid, and he was wrong. But that road brought him here. To Barcelona. Where he always wanted. He has finally fulfilled his dream move. Time to let it rip! João Felix Season is up and running.
JOÃO CANCELO, THE ROLLS ROYCE FULLBACK.
Cancelo's qualities were known by the few who played close attention to Primera Liga, La Liga and Serie A matches, when he was with Benfica, Valencia, Inter and Juventus, respectively. However, it was when Pep Guardiola plucked him from Italy that everyone got to see him in his full form. A devastatingly good player who can play both wings, and even as a midfielder, not to talk of being a superb goal threat. For the better part of the last 3 years, he was the best fullback in the world.
THE STUMBLE.
And then, a little bit of ego set in. Everyone knows that there is no such thing as being untouchable in a Pep Guardiola squad. Maybe except if you're Lionel Messi. Or Xavi. Or Iniesta. But still, it's been a very foreign concept since he moved to England.
Perhaps João forgot that, because it's said that his impatience and arrogance led to a fallout with the manager. And there's no turning back once you fall out with Pep. His time at City was done. The only option was to leave. Barcelona wanted him in January, but City sent him to Munich instead on a loan.
It was a move that didn't exactly pan out for either the club or the player, even though the early signs were promising. Soon enough, Tuchel dropped him from the starting XI and his time at Munich was done too.
THE CHOICE
He had to return back to City after the loan move to Bayern was unsuccessful, but it was certain that he wasn't staying. They said he favoured Spain. And in Spain, he made his choice.
Barcelona.
Of course, the club's financial position slightly improved after sending Dembele to PSG, but it still took herculean moves from Barça and sacrifices from Cancelo to bring the move to fruition, on deadline day. In the end, it was just a loan move, but the expectations are that it'll be permanent in no time.
And why not?
FITTING LIKE A GLOVE.
We remember what Xavi's system entails. Along with solid ball playing centre backs who are great in the air, Dani Alves and Jordi Alba were the perfect fullbacks for him in the way they supported the attack, Dani especially, when he came into the midfield, and Jordi, who specialised in running behind the defense.
The system requires a really mobile, extremely skilled fullback who can contribute in attack as well as he does defense. It requires a player that can bring eye catching dynamism and unpredictability to the team.
The moment João Cancelo stepped into the pitch, we all knew this is what was missing. This is what Alves brought to the team when Xavi first took over. It was why our attacks were so fluid and potent.
João Cancelo's qualities are undeniably tailor made for Xavi's system. He combines so well with the midfielders and attackers on either wings, highly skilled on the ball, and has goals in him, like the superb strike we saw against Betis, in addition to an all round performance that promises a lot of success for both player and club.
HOME AT LAST?
Against Real Betis, João Cancelo and João Felix both showed why the club went all the way to bring them in. It was a debut to remember for both Portuguese stars, who gave amazing performances and bookended the incredible scoreline.
It's hard to see them out of the best starting XI Barcelona has to offer at this point. They've brought more balance, creativity and overall panache to Xavi's side, elevating us instantly to contenders. They've given us a reason to dream.
The season of the Joãos is gonna hit like crack!
