Thank you, João Félix!

João Félix, aged 19, transfers from Sport Lisboa e Benfica to Atlético Madrid. The striker leaves a home that welcomed him in 2015/16 and that introduced him to the European top football.

Born in Viseu, João Félix has always lived surrounded by football. His father, Carlos Sequeira, is a physical coach and is younger brother, Hugo Félix, plays at the eagles' U-15 squad. He started playing football at the age of 8, at Os Pestinhas. This was followed by FC Porto and Padroense before travelling to Seixal.

He arrived at Caixa Futebol Campos with 15 years and began playing for the U-17s. He also represented the U-19s – he became champion in 2017/18 – and the Team B, in which he made his senior debut in 2016/17. It was round 7 of the 2nd Division (Freamunde-Benfica B) when Hélder Cristóvão launched him at 83’.

Exciting talent in the first squad

Always playing above his age category, João Félix has always shown an above-average talent. The club and the coaches knew that, and today the whole of Europe knows it too. Atletico Madrid took the lead, paid the release clause and secured his services.

In early 2018/19, continuing Benfica's bet on the pearls coming out of Caixa Futebol Campus, the forward had his chance in the first team and he met the expectations.

A week separates his debut and his first goal. On August 18, 2018, the number 79 jersey came on at 88’ in the Boavista-Benfica (matchday 2 of the Liga NOS); in the following round, in the derby at Estádio da Luz, he came on at 71’ and scored at 86’.

“Shivers ran down my spine. I think anyone would shiver. It's the consequence of my work, I've been working for it, to play. I have to thank them for the bet they have made on me, I have risen to the challenge and I want to continue to rise to the challenge to have more opportunities like this on”, he admitted at the time, right after the final whistle of the match against Sporting.

Even if intermittently, João Félix kept racking up minutes and ended up scoring in his debut as a starter, against Aves, at  Estádio da Luz.

The success under Bruno Lage

In January there was a change of coach and formation in the Reds. With the new 4x4x2, the youngster took on a spot in the attack alongside Seferovic, and made an immediate impact. A brace and a triumph against Rio Ave, by  4-2.

With the new coach, João Félix scored 17 goals in 29 matches in all competitions, with special emphasis to the hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt, in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals. The outstanding display from the Benfica talent did not leave anyone indifferent and was reproduced in the international Press.

The debut season in the Club’s first team ended with a flourish, with 20 goals in 43 matches. He became National Champion and won the Nations League with the National team, racking up his first senior cap in the final four.

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica