Joao Felix, the Portuguese forward who once captivated the football world with his prodigious talent, is on the verge of joining Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr. This move marks the latest chapter in one of the most intriguing and perplexing careers in modern football, raising questions about his potential and the factors that have hindered his progress.
At just 19 years old, Felix became the third most expensive transfer in football history when Atletico Madrid paid Benfica a staggering £113 million for his services in 2019. Since then, he has played for some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Barcelona, AC Milan, and Chelsea, yet his career has been marred by inconsistency and underperformance. Now, at 25, he is set to embark on a new adventure in the Saudi Professional League, leaving many to wonder if his potential will ever be fully realized.
The Rise and Early Promise
Felix's journey began at Benfica, where he quickly established himself as a prodigious talent. At just 16, he made his debut for Benfica B, becoming the youngest player in the club's history to play in Portugal's second tier. His rise to the first team was meteoric, and by the age of 18, he was a regular starter at Estadio da Luz.
During the 2018-19 season, Felix's performances were nothing short of spectacular. He scored 20 goals in 43 games across all competitions, including a memorable hat-trick in the Europa League quarter-finals against Eintracht Frankfurt. His brilliance earned him the Golden Boy award as the best under-21 player in Europe, solidifying his reputation as a future superstar.
"Those six months of him playing at Estadio da Luz regularly were by far the best I've witnessed from a player in almost a decade in Portugal," said Lisbon-based journalist Marcus Alves. "It was pure art, a joy to watch. He seemed destined for the top."
The Transition to Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid's decision to sign Felix for a record fee was a bold move, aimed at replacing the departing Antoine Griezmann. The club hoped that Felix would become the next great forward in their storied history, but his transition to the Spanish capital proved challenging.
Under Diego Simeone, Atletico's legendary coach, Felix struggled to adapt to the team's intense work ethic and tactical demands. Spanish journalist Guillem Balague noted, "On one occasion earlier on in his time at Atletico, Simeone got really mad at him during a game, asked him to do certain things and you could see how Joao Felix was ignoring him. He basically ended up doing nothing like the stuff Simeone was asking him to do."
Despite these challenges, Felix did have moments of brilliance. He was part of the Atletico squad that won the La Liga title in 2020-21, though he played a limited role, starting just 14 league games and scoring only three goals after Christmas. The following season, he was named the club's player of the year, but his form dipped again, and he was loaned out to Chelsea in January 2023.
Loans and Uncertainty
Felix's loan spell at Chelsea, under Graham Potter, was brief but promising. He scored on his debut in a derby against Arsenal, showcasing the flair and creativity that had made him a sensation in Portugal. However, his time at Chelsea was short-lived, and he returned to Atletico, where his future remained uncertain.
Atletico's CEO, Gil Marin, acknowledged the club's investment in Felix but expressed concerns about his relationship with Simeone and his overall motivation. "I personally think he's a top talent, a world-class player," Marin said. "But for reasons it isn't worth getting into, it makes you think that the reasonable thing is that if there's an option that's good for the player, good for the club, we can look at it."
Despite his potential, Felix's career has been marked by inconsistency. His time at Barcelona and AC Milan also failed to yield the desired results, and his move to Al-Nassr is seen by many as a step away from Europe's elite.
The Feeling Back Home
Back in Portugal, the sentiment is one of disappointment. "The feeling back home is that Felix has officially given up on being a truly top-level international player," said journalist Marcus Alves. "It's a sad reality for a player who was once seen as the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo."
While Felix's move to Al-Nassr offers financial stability and a fresh start, it also raises questions about his ambition and desire to compete at the highest level. As he embarks on this new chapter, the world will watch to see if he can rediscover the form that once made him a sensation.
For now, Joao Felix's story remains one of unfulfilled potential, a cautionary tale of the pressures and expectations that come with being labeled a "wonderkid." As he steps into the Saudi Professional League, the question remains: Can he finally fulfill the promise that once had the football world at his feet?
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment
Be the first to comment on this article!