The Fall of Joao Felix – Inside One of Football’s Most Confusing Careers
Few footballers have sparked as much debate, frustration, and unfulfilled promise as Joao Felix. Once hailed as the next global superstar, the Portuguese forward’s career has followed a bewildering trajectory—from a record-breaking prodigy to a player now set for Saudi Arabia at just 25 years old. With a £113m price tag still looming over his name, his story is one of tantalizing talent that never truly caught fire at the highest level.
The Meteoric Rise at Benfica
Joao Felix’s journey began with an explosion onto the scene at Benfica, where he made history as the youngest player to feature for Benfica B at 16. His first-team breakthrough in the 2018-19 season was nothing short of spectacular. A week after his senior debut, he scored in the Lisbon derby against Sporting and later became the youngest player to net a Europa League hat-trick.
By the season’s end, he had 20 goals in 43 appearances, lifting Benfica to the league title and earning individual accolades like the Golden Boy award. Lisbon-based journalist Marcus Alves recalled, Those six months were pure art—joy to watch. He seemed destined for the top.
His reputation was so immense that when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Portugal’s squad for the Nations League, headlines framed it as Ronaldo joins Felix—reflecting the staggering expectations placed on the teenager.
The Atletico Madrid Gamble – A Star in the Wrong System
Atletico Madrid broke their transfer record in 2019, paying £113m to sign Felix as Antoine Griezmann’s replacement. On paper, it was a statement signing. In reality, it was a mismatched marriage.
Under Diego Simeone’s rigid, defensive philosophy, Felix struggled to adapt. Spanish journalist Guillem Balague noted, He ignored Simeone’s instructions—there was no willingness to work defensively. Despite flashes of brilliance—including winning La Liga in 2020-21—his contributions were inconsistent. He started just 14 league matches that season, scoring only three goals post-Christmas.
Even a Player of the Season award in 2021-22 couldn’t mask the underlying issues. By December 2022, Felix was publicly pushing for an exit. Atletico’s CEO admitted, If there’s a good option for him and the club, we can look at it.
Failed Experiments at Chelsea and Barcelona
Chelsea took a €10m gamble on Felix in January 2023, but his debut ended in a reckless red card. Though he showed glimpses of his flair, four goals in 19 appearances wasn’t enough to justify a permanent deal.
His next move, to boyhood club Barcelona, seemed poetic. Ten goals—including a brace against Atletico—offered hope, but Barca opted against keeping him.
Then came an inexplicable full transfer back to Chelsea for £45m—a deal that reeked of financial maneuvering more than sporting logic. Despite scoring seven goals, his minutes dwindled, and he was loaned to AC Milan, where anonymous performances included a viral halftime spat with Kyle Walker over his reluctance to pass.
Al-Nassr and the End of the Dream
At 25, Felix now heads to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, joining former Benfica boss Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo. Few foresaw this destination when he was lighting up Estadio da Luz.
Balague summarized the enigma: He refuses to adapt. Modern football demands work rate—something he won’t give. Alves added, Those six months at Benfica might remain his peak.
With nine goals in 45 caps for Portugal, Felix’s international career mirrors his club struggles—full of flickering promise but no lasting impact.
Conclusion: What Went Wrong?
Was it mentality? Tactical misfits? Or simply a player who peaked too soon? Joao Felix’s career stands as a cautionary tale—a reminder that prodigious talent alone isn’t enough. As he fades from Europe’s elite, the question lingers: could things have been different, or was his decline inevitable?
