It was July 3, 2019. João Félix joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica Lisbon. After 26 professional matches and 15 goals, the Portuguese was transferred for 126 million euros. Presented as a star in the Spanish capital, he inherited Griezmann’s number 7. Expectations are high around the young Portuguese. Perhaps too high, in fact.
A chaotic adventure with Atletico
He was supposed to be the one who would make Griezmann forgotten, the one who would in turn become a legend of the Colchoneros. Despite a Spanish championship title in 2021, the story between Félix and Atleti will never have been a fairy tale. Rarely a starter, too little decisive, the former Benfica player will suffer criticism from several supporters, and from his own coach, a few months after his arrival. “In addition to talent, you must have commitment”Simeone said in January 2020.When a player realises why he plays for Atletico, then everything falls into place.“. Translation: Felix is not yet fully integrated into the project.
Because Atlético is not just a team. It is an idea. A game project led by its master, Cholo Simeone. All the players follow him like a guru, everyone must change their way of playing and their state of mind to join the Rojiblancos, and that, Félix will never have realized. The attitude of a nonchalant youngster, on the verge of arrogance will not please.
Joao Felix, Diego Simeone
Too little used at the Colchoneros, the Portuguese did not hesitate to show his discontent as in March 2021 when the latter addressed a “shush” towards Diego Simeone after scoring against Villarreal. A response to his difficult relationship with the Cholo. The beginning of the troubles.
Arrogance, clash and a career at a dead end
During the post-title season, Antoine Griezmann returned to Atleti. Between the darling and the capricious kid, Simeone quickly made his choice in the starting 11. João was champing at the bit. After irregular, sometimes ghostly performances, long minutes on the bench and degraded relations with Cholo, João Félix was loaned to Chelsea for 6 months in January 2023, for 11 million euros. A London adventure far from being a success. Once again put on the bench, Félix – as we were now used to – was content with only a few flashes of brilliance here and there. After 6 months in London, 20 games and 4 goals, back to square one. The new Blues coach, Mauricio Pochettino, is not counting on him.
In July, the Lusitanian admitted in an interview that “Barcelona has always been my first choice. It’s always been my dream since I was a kid”A dream that came true in the last hours of the summer transfer window, but which further cemented the divorce between him and the Colchoneros.
And if Diego Simeone explained before his first loan that he “There is no problem with him that goes beyond the sporting framework”upon his arrival in Catalonia, the Cholo no longer minces his words. “Whether they are opinions or personal gestures, the question developed is addressed to the person who made them. It is clear that the people of Atlético do not appreciate certain gestures, because we have another way of seeing things. When you do not understand how things work where you are, it is difficult to coexist. It is as if I came from Argentina to Spain and wanted to live like in Argentina. The habits are different.”. A statement that has the merit of being clear.
On December 3, 2023, the Portuguese striker scored the only goal of the match between Barça and Atleti and celebrated in front of the colchoneros fans, an unforgivable gesture for many and his return to the Metropolitano would be under a hail of whistles and chants of hate. In October, Félix had already made headlines by “liking” a publication highlighting his performances in the blaugrana jersey with the following mention: “Atletico Madrid fans are crying.”
Joao Felix celebrates his goal during the match between FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid
Credit: Imago
Problem, after his loan – this time successful – to Barcelona, Félix returned to Madrid again. Despite 44 matches, 10 goals, 6 assists and Flick’s desire to keep him, Barcelona did not have the necessary funds for the Portuguese and a new loan was inaudible for the Madrid management.
Chelsea, finally some stability?
At the Blues, Félix hopes to finally show his full potential, but finds himself in a club where there is no shortage of attacking players. Mudryk, Palmer, Neto, Nkunku, Broja, Madueke, Jackson, Sterling, Guiu and now Félix, Chelsea is once again facing a recruitment policy that has been inconsistent for two years. How can all these great people play? How can Félix succeed in establishing himself sustainably and keeping an undisputed starting spot, something he has never managed to do since the beginning of his career?
With 45 players under contract, Jamie Carragher, now a consultant, questioned the transfer: “Where does Felix go to change at the training centre? If you have 40 players, how do you find your way to a locker room? How do you organise a training session?” What if the Portuguese had not gotten out of one impasse to take another? One thing is certain, the João Félix saga is far from over.
