A child prodigy, he left Portugal for Spain to work for Diego Simeone. Atletico Madrid cost João Félix €125 million in 2019. However, the Portuguese never really appreciated Diego Simeone’s defensive style of play.
A loan to Chelsea followed then to FC Barcelona this season. Félix plays big with the Catalans in the flagship match of La Liga. With a stirring lob, he made it 1-0 for Xavi’s side. It was his first goal in the first match against the club, where he still has a valid work document. João Félix has never scored a goal in eight games against FC Barcelona.
Contrary to what many people do against his former club, the young striker did not give up celebrating out of respect for Simeone and Atleti, but instead let the Catalan fans celebrate in a Bellingham pose and demonstratively patted the FC Barcelona coat of arms. Simeone shouldn’t be so amused.