Joao Felix is having a somewhat mixed first season at Atletico Madrid. He joined the LaLiga club for €126 million from Benfica. He was seen as the heir to Antoine Griezmann who moved to Barcelona last summer.
The Portuguese international scored eight goals and provided three assists in 35 appearances across all competitions for Atletico till now. He is expected to lead Atletico’s hopes in the Champions League.
The 20-year-old wants to shine under Diego Simeone just like Griezmann did. He likes Simeone’s style of play and has no problem playing under the Argentine.
Joao Felix told Marca: “If I can do what Griezmann has done or improve it, it will be fine because he has made history in this club.”
“He has done it very well, he has grown a lot with El Cholo [Simeone], and if I do it the same, better for me.”
Joao Felix has an attacking style of play and Simeone’s side usually plays a defensive game so many football experts think Felix won’t succeed under Simeone like Sergio Aguero. Aguero struggled to get goals at Atletico but has now become a club legend at Manchester City.
Joao Felix has overtaken Aguero this season as the youngest Champions League goalscorer in Atletico Madrid’s history. He said: “Kun [Sergio Aguero] is now a great player, but when he was at Atletico, I was five years old and I don’t remember anything. It’s good to break records, all the players like to make history and of course I’m happy to be part of Atletico’s history and to have surpassed a player like Kun.”
“Many people say one thing, others say another, but I am here to play Cholo football and I do what he asks. Let’s see. I’m adapting to Spain, doing my football, I’m meeting the club and always thinking of improving.”
“As I said, I play because I like it and I am not worried about what the press or others think. I try not to see [the criticism], but there are some that I hear or come to me, but what am I going to do? Listen and follow my work.”
Joao Felix can leave all the criticisms behind if he can lead Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Atletico Madrid has been two-time runners-up in the competition in the last decade but has lost to their city rivals Real Madrid on both occasions. If Felix can do one better he would certainly achieve more than what Griezmann did in just one season.
The Portuguese international said: “Yes, the Champions League is always the high point of any player and even more so playing it here in Lisbon, at home, I am very happy and it is very good for me.”
Atletico Madrid will face RB Leipzig in the Champions League quarter-finals on Thursday. Joao Felix is expected to perform well in his home soil.
