Joao Felix heads into Atletico Madrid 's Champions League quarter-final clash with Manchester City full of confidence.
The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in his last eight games, reminding manager Diego Simeone why Los Rojiblancos forked out a club-record £113million to sign him from Benfica in 2019. While Felix has helped Atletico to a La Liga title during his two-and-a-half years in the Spanish capital, the Portuguese has struggled to make himself a permanent fixture of Simeone's side, and been linked with a move away in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Felix's frustration boiled even over in February, with the youngster ominously telling The Athletic : "I think we all know what the problem is [with the team], I don't want to say though." Probed to disclose what that issue was during a news conference soon after, Simeone fired back. "About what Joao said, you can ask him," the 51-year-old replied. "I work according to the team. If he is clear about what the problem is, it would be good to know."
Those comments came amid a torrid run for the Spanish champions, recording just two wins from 10 games to put their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League in jeopardy. Since then, though, Felix has powered Atletico to six successive La Liga victories and the quarter-finals of Europe's premier competition.
In those eight games, including a two-legged tie with Manchester United, the second-striker has racked up a total of nine direct goal contributions. Over the international break, Felix featured in both of Portugal 's matches and helped Fernando Santos and co qualify for the World Cup via the play-offs.
Upon his return to Madrid last Saturday, the ex-Benfica starlet bagged a brace in a 4-1 thumping of Deportivo Alaves, putting them four points clear of fifth-place Real Betis in the league table. Now beginning to live up to the hype, Felix has the spotlight shining on him for the right reasons, earning back his starting spot in emphatic fashion.
Join the debate! Will Felix live up to his price tag? Give us your prediction here.
Simeone's dogged style of play was initially a challenge for the free-spirited forward, but he has upped his game in 2022. Speaking after defeating Alaves, Yannick Carrasco waxed lyrical about his transformed teammate, with the winger telling Movistar, via Marca : "We know that Joao is a very great talent, but there are times when talent isn't everything.
"The work is important; think about the team, don't think about yourself, and Joao has understood it this year. He's worked hard, understood that the group is more important than [his own] name, and today he was a key player for us and very important. We need it that way, a Joao Felix goalscorer."
With all respect to Los Rojiblancos' domestic opponents, City pose a different level of test. Simeone has even admitted that Atletico will have to up their game compared to their gritty 1-0 win against United at Old Trafford, complimenting Pep Guardiola 's team, who are favourites to not only reach the semi-finals but emerge victorious from the whole competition.
However, a notable portion of his praise was a hint to Felix of what he must to do reach the next bracket of top-class attackers. "What I like most about teams like City is the strength and effort they put into winning the ball back and continuing to attack," explained the Argentine, who is renowned for his conservative tactics.
"They're lovely to watch. They continue evolving. They have great players. [Raheem] Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, they're always active, they always run. They never leave a ball lost. That's additional to their talent. All managers want that."
They certainly do, but if Felix can keep up this kind of form, all managers will want him, too.
