Joao Felix admits he never adapted to Atletico Madrid and Cholo Simeone

He was struggling at the Spanish capital. Albeit his talent is evident, Joao Felix just couldn't find the necessary form with Los Colchoneros despite some promising performances over the years.

Now, at Barca, he's a different person, flying high on the pitch and enjoying himself like never before.

UCL: Cityzens turn it around to avoid a shock, Felix enjoying Blaugrana

His rebirth is blatant, and he acknowledged those changes when talking to El Mundo Deportivo. And was as straightforward as it gets...

"Yes, the truth is that I gave up a significant amount of money in terms of my salary. But well, I needed to change, I needed to go to a place where I could play my football and as I said, I always believed that this would be the ideal place for me. Things are going well and I had to make that effort to have joy playing again."

Asked about the connection with Xavi Hernandez, the Portuguese winger revealed the Barca gaffer told him to enjoy himself from day one.

"He told me to play joyfully and put my football in there. Of course, he demands tactical things from me, but above all, I enjoy it. I have fun, and that's what I'm trying to do."

However, that was not the case with his former coach, Atletico's Diego Simeone, quite a different tactician than Xavi.

"Football is like that: whoever is not doing well has to change places. I have done it before by moving to Chelsea, and I have done it now with Barcelona because I was not doing well there. I did not adapt to the ideas of the club and the coach, but I have always tried to do the best I could and I have had very good times there too, " concluded Joao Felix.