Joan between two Joãos. He carries Cancelo on his right and João Félix on his left. The president of Barcelona with the last two reinforcements, made official on the last market day and presented a few hours later, this Saturday. The president was happy. The two Portuguese, who arrive on loan, have already gone out onto the pitch of the Joan Gamper sports complex –another Joan- dressed as soccer players because shortly after they did their first training session under Xavi’s command.
The two Portuguese said that Barcelona is a dream and the culmination of their career. “I always worked to get to Barcelona. I was looking for it since a long time. Now I have a unique feeling”, confessed João Félix. “My mother, who is in heaven and she sees me every day, she knows which club she dreamed of playing for and today I am here,” Cancelo proclaimed.
Laporta, for his part, thanked the desire and commitment of the two footballers for dressing as a blaugrana. “You are one of the players in history who has had the most willingness to come to Barça”, the president dedicated to the 23-year-old striker, who arrives from Atlético de Madrid. “It is an operation that should have been done a long time ago. And in the end the time has come: today”, he conceded to the 29-year-old defender, on loan from Manchester City.
The club insisted on the spot that both lower their salaries so that their arrival could be finalized. “We thought it would be impossible. But João Félix was always clear about it,” Deco acknowledged. “Without his effort it would be impossible to have a player of Cancelo’s level. We are excited that players of this level want to come to Barcelona”, highlighted the sports director. Laporta, in both cases, thanked the work of super agent Jorge Mendes, who was absent on the spot.
The president was more than satisfied with the two new reinforcements and considers that the squad is taking a great leap in quality with the talent of the two Portuguese. “This looks very good. With players like this we can aspire to win everything. Although in the end only one wins, the team will work and work to achieve the goals”, predicted Laporta.
Also the players are ambitious. Especially João Félix, who did not hesitate to choose his favorite award. “The Champions League has always been my trophy, the one I have dreamed of. But let’s go easy, game by game, ”he paraphrased Simeone, his previous coach.
For his part, Cancelo, who knows the League from his time at Valencia (2014-17) showed maturity and knowledge of the Barça style, not in vain did he work three and a half years with Guardiola at City. “Barça was always my club. It is not to say to say, who knows me knows it. My idols played here. For my football right now, Barça is ideal: the game of possession and in the opponent’s field, ”he listed. The right-back, who has already shared a dressing room with Ferran Torres and Gündogan, does not shy away from the demand. “The club lives by winning titles. I know there is pressure but I like that pressure,” he proclaimed.
