GO DEEPER Joao Felix shines again - and Barcelona fans are getting excited But beyond the boosted goal tally or the hype around new faces, there’s another player who has greatly benefited: Gavi.

Gavi and Joao Felix forged a strong relationship while the latter was at Barcelona last season. While the club sought his continuity for the next season as well, that possibility is looking ...

Barcelona's Joao Felix, centre right, scores his side's third goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Betis and Barcelona at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, Spain, Sunday, Jan ...

Barcelona's new forward Joao Felix struck twice in a 5-0 demolition of visiting Royal Antwerp in their Champions League Group H opener at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday.

I want the best players to stay. I like Joao Felix a lot, I always have," Laporta told Catalunya Radio. "There are very competitive players in the Barca squad.

Still not available for Xavi because of injuries were Alejandro Balde, Marcos Alonso, Ferran Torres and Gavi. The return match will be on March 12 in Barcelona.