João Félix (Part 2)

João Félix made his competitive debut for Atlético Madrid on 19 August 2019 in a 1–0 victory over Getafe. Although he didn't score, he won a penalty for his team, which Álvaro Morata failed to convert. He provided his first assist for Vitolo in a 1–0 away win against Leganés on 25 August. Félix scored his first La Liga goal on 1 September in a 3–2 victory over Eibar and followed it up with his first UEFA Champions League goal on 1 October, helping Atlético to a 2–0 away victory against Lokomotiv Moscow and becoming the youngest goalscorer for the club in the competition at just 19 years old.


However, Félix encountered a setback on 19 October when he suffered an ankle injury against Valencia, leaving his team with ten men on the pitch due to already having made the maximum number of substitutions. Initially thought to be not too serious, the injury turned out to be severe, sidelining him for one month. Despite this setback, Félix was nominated for the 2019 Ballon d'Or and went on to win the Golden Boy award for the best player in Europe under the age of 21.
Over the subsequent months, Félix faced challenges adapting to Diego Simeone's playing style at Atlético Madrid, struggling to find his ideal position and facing difficulties pressing opponents off the ball. Despite these challenges, he made notable appearances, including scoring in Atlético's victory against Villarreal upon his return from injury.


Félix continued to contribute to Atlético's campaign in the Champions League, providing an assist for Marcos Llorente in their victory against Liverpool in the round of 16. However, his season was marred by another injury to his left knee, which sidelined him for several weeks. Despite his efforts, Atlético was eliminated from the Champions League quarter-finals by RB Leipzig.
Overall, Félix's debut season with Atlético Madrid was marked by highs and lows, showcasing his talent but also highlighting the challenges of adapting to a new team and playing style.


Félix further demonstrated his quality by scoring against European champions Bayern Munich on 1 December, helping Atlético secure a 1–1 draw in the Champions League.
Despite facing challenges such as a bout with COVID-19 in February and dealing with injuries, Félix remained determined to contribute to his team's success. He returned to action on 17 February in a 1–1 away draw against Levante.
In the penultimate matchday of the La Liga season on 16 May, Félix provided a crucial assist to Renan Lodi in Atlético's 2–1 comeback victory over Osasuna. This assist played a significant role in ensuring Atlético's position at the top of the league table.


João Félix missed Atlético Madrid's first three matches of the 2021–22 season as he continued to recover from the ankle injury he had sustained in November. He made his return on 12 September in a match against Espanyol, coming on as a substitute. However, he was later sent off in a match against Athletic Bilbao, receiving a two-match ban for dissent.
Félix gradually regained his place in the team and made notable contributions in several matches, including creating goals against Barcelona, Liverpool, and Real Sociedad. He scored his first goal of the season in a win against Real Betis on 31 October and was named Atlético Madrid Player of the Month for October.


Despite suffering a hamstring injury in November, Félix continued to impress when given the opportunity, earning praise from manager Diego Simeone. However, rumors of a potential departure in January surfaced, although Atlético Madrid's president dismissed them.
Félix showcased his importance to the team by scoring and providing an assist in a win over Osasuna on 19 February, marking his 100th appearance for the club. He also scored in the Champions League against Manchester United, helping Atlético secure a place in the quarter-finals.


Félix was awarded the league's Player of the Month award after scoring six goals and providing two assists in six matches. However, his season was cut short in April due to a hamstring injury, ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign.Despite the injury setback, Félix was recognized for his contributions throughout the season, winning Atlético Madrid's Player of the Season award as voted by the club's supporters, after finishing the campaign with 10 goals and 6 assists.


João Félix began the 2022–23 season on a high note, providing a hat-trick of assists in Atlético Madrid's 3–0 away victory against Getafe on 15 August. This performance marked a significant milestone in his career, making him the third Portuguese player to provide three assists in a La Liga match. However, his relationship with manager Diego Simeone became strained, resulting in Félix losing his place in the starting lineup and becoming the club's fifth-choice attacker.
Tensions escalated during a Champions League group stage match against Club Brugge on 10 October, where Félix was repeatedly asked to warm up but remained on the bench. This incident led Félix to express his desire to leave the club, prompting his agent Jorge Mendes to seek potential suitors for him in the winter transfer window.



Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Félix continued to feature sporadically for Atlético Madrid. He made a significant impact on 29 October, coming on as a substitute and scoring two goals in a 3–2 away loss to Cádiz, earning him the man of the match award.
Amid speculation about his departure, Atlético's CEO confirmed the club's intention to sell Félix due to his strained relationship with Simeone and dwindling motivation. On 11 January 2023, Félix joined Premier League club Chelsea on loan for the remainder of the season, extending his contract with Atlético in the process.


Félix made his debut for Chelsea in a 2–1 defeat against Fulham, where he was sent off and subsequently received a three-match ban. Upon returning from suspension, he scored his first goal for Chelsea in a 1–1 draw against West Ham United on 11 February. However, Chelsea's new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, opted not to sign Félix on a permanent deal, leading to his return to Atlético Madrid after scoring four goals in 20 appearances for the London club.

References

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13. ^ Lídia Paralta Gomes (19 July 2023). "João Félix diz que Barcelona sempre foi a sua "primeira escolha" e reitera vontade de jogar no clube. At. Madrid fala de "falta de respeito"". Tribuna Expresso. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
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