Everything you need to know about multi-talented Portuguese Joao Felix!
Joao Felix Sequeira, commonly known as Joao Felix, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for Chelsea (on-loan from Atletico Madrid) and the Portugal national team.
He was born on November 10, 1999, in Viseu, Portugal, and began his professional career with Benfica in 2018.
Felix began his football career at the age of eight, playing for Os Pestinhas, a local team in Viseu. He was soon spotted by scouts from FC Porto and played in their academy for some time, but he ultimately joined the youth academy of Benfica in 2015.
After impressing in the youth teams, Felix made his senior debut for Benfica in August 2018, coming on as a substitute in a league match against Boavista. In his first season at Benfica, he scored 20 goals in all competitions and helped his team win the Primeira Liga title.
His performances earned him the Golden Boy award, and the Liga NOS Breakthrough Player of the Year.
In the summer of 2019, Felix was signed by Atletico Madrid for a transfer fee of €126 million, making him the fourth-most expensive footballer in history. He has since become a key player for the club, helping them win the La Liga title in the 2020-21 season, and winning their player of the season award the next year.
However, in 2022-23, Felix was unable to replicate his performances from the previous campaign and in January joined Chelsea on loan for the rest of the season. His debut did not go according to plan with the forward being sent off after 58 minutes. But he has risen back from his debut nightmare and contributed to Chelsea's defeat of Borussia Dortmund in the Uefa Champions League Round of 16.
Felix has represented Portugal at various youth levels and made his senior debut in June 2019 in the Nations League semi-final against Switzerland. Portugal would go on to win the tournament thus giving Felix his first International trophy. He would later represent them in both the 2020 Euros as well as the 2022 World Cup.
Felix is known for his technical skills, vision, and ability to score goals from distance. He is also an excellent dribbler and has the ability to create chances for his teammates. Despite his young age, he has already established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in world football.
Here are 13 fun facts about Joao Felix you need to know…!
Runs in the family
While Felix's both parents are teachers, he isn't the sole football talent in his family. The Chelsea forward's brother Hugo Felix is also a footballer, who like his sibling rose through the ranks of Benfica's prestigious academy.
While he hasn't yet made his debut for the senior side, Hugo is regarded as one of the most promising players at Benfica at the young age of 19, very similar to his older brother.
AdvertisementEarly beginnings at Porto
It will come as a surprise to some, but Felix's entire youth career wasn't focused in the academy of Benfica. In reality, during the dormant stage of his career, the Portuguese forward had joined the youth academy of rivals Porto at the very young age of eight.
It was only at the age of 15 that he joined Benfica and rapidly rose to the limelight as one of the best prospects in world football.
Almost quit football
The Chelsea forward had a tough time during his stay at Porto. At first, it was difficult for him to travel daily up and down from his home to the training ground. As a result, Felix had to move out of his family's house at the young age of 12.
Despite moving closer to Porto's academy, things didn't get any easier. he was barely getting any play time and had lost confidence in himself. If it weren't for his father's encouragement, we may never have seen the great talent he possesses.
GettyThe perfect moment
Felix's first goal was a dream come true for any young athlete making his way through the ranks of Benfica's academy. On 25 August 2018, a week after his senior debut, the young attacker would give his side the lead against Sporting CP in the Lisbon derby.
In doing so, he also became the youngest scorer in the fixture's history at the age of 18.
