Atletico Madrid supporters vandalize Joao Felix plaque following Chelsea transfer: 'Stay away, traitor!'

Atletico Madrid fans have vandalized a Joao Felix plaque following his move to Chelsea during the summer transfer window. The fans left a message for the young footballer, saying: "Don't come back, traitor!"

Felix has faced a wave of online abuse from Atletico fans after completing his £45m transfer to Chelsea – and some have now taken their anger even further.

Atletico stars who make over 100 appearances are awarded a plaque outside the club’s stadium, with Felix’s one targeted following his recent permanent exit.

Felix’s plaque was covered with litter – and an abusive message was also written in Spanish – after he ended his somewhat inconsistent five-year spell in Madrid.

‘Don’t ever come back, pig,’ Atletico fan @Reycholosimeone posted on X while another supporter @ZonaAtletico trolled Felix for joining a ‘small team’.

Atletico splashed out a record fee in the region of £115m to sign Felix from Benfica in 2019, but the move largely didn’t work out for the player or the club.

Felix produced 34 goals and 18 assists across 131 games for Atletico – but was twice shipped out on loan – firstly to Chelsea and then secondly to Barcelona.

He now has a totally fresh start at Stamford Bridge, though, after Felix penned a seven-year deal with the west Londoners.

‘I’m really happy to be back at Chelsea and I can’t wait to get started,’ Felix said.

‘I can see some familiar faces from the last time I was here, which is always nice.’

Felix made 16 Premier League appearances for Chelsea on loan in the 2022-23 season, conjuring up four goals.

Not everyone has been left impressed by the way Felix has been treated by Atletico fans after his move to Chelsea.

‘Some fans take it too personal when a player leaves,’ @Genie_256 posted on X. ‘These guys are also looking for a better future above anything else like we all do.’