Joao Felix is a professional footballer who plays for the Portuguese national team as well as Atletico Madrid. He began his professional career at 17 and before that, showcased impeccable footballing skills that won him several titles.
His transfer fee to Atletico Madrid for a period of 7 years broke a couple of records. However, the young Portuguese player has had his fair share of rough beginnings even at the La Liga Club side. Nonetheless, he still made it to be part of his Nation’s football squad to represent the country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Joao Felix Early Life And Family Background
The Portuguese player was born Joao Felix Sequeira on November 10, 1999, in Viseu, Portugal. His parents are Carlos Felix Sequeira and Carla Felix Sequeira who are both teachers.
Joao also has a younger brother named Hugo who plays for Benfica’s Youth team. Hugo is as good as his older brother and has also had the privilege of showcasing his own skills. The brothers share not just a last name but also a close bond.
Joao Felix’s Football Career hasn’t been a Smooth Ride
Before his professional debut at the age of 16, Felix had a rocky beginning with football. He started playing with the youth team quite early but for lack of playtime, considered quitting football. Thanks to Carlos his father, he was convinced and encouraged to hold on.
Professionally debuting for Benfica in 2016, Joao spent two years before he was promoted to the club’s first team and made a go for the league title. Soon, he caught Atletico Madrid’s attention and signed on a 7-year contract on July 3, 2019.
Just like in his earlier days in the sport, the young Portuguese player found it difficult at Atletico. Again, he couldn’t secure enough play time and was unable to showcase his talent on the field.
Part of the reason he had it rough in the early years playing for Atletico was that the coach, Diego Simeone, hadn’t fully understood Felix’s play style.
An additional cause was the fact that a lot of people expected so much from the Viseu-born. He was likened to a lot of top players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Antione Griezemann. With this, football fans and spectators expected so much from him not realizing it takes time for a potential to be unveiled.
Finding it difficult to place his foot and a rocky relationship with Atletico’s coach, Felix wanted to leave. He had already told his agent Jorge Mendes to get him a new club when the winter transfer window opened.
Regardless, Joao has continued to work hard and as of the 2021 season, had begun to impress. It looks like Diego has finally gotten around to understanding him and the player has found his comfortable position and is more confident at play.
Simeone is not ready to release their most expensive signee despite other clubs like Manchester United eyeing him. The player has been unhappy and has a reduced play time but is still wanted at Atletico Madrid.
Although his brother believes he should have remained at Benfica instead, he also believes that Joao is happy at this new club.
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He was Signed for a Record Fee of $120 Million
Joao Felix was signed for a record-breaking deal of $120 million to Atletico Madrid. This amount has gone down in history as the 4th highest sum to be paid in football’s history. It is also the second-highest fee to be paid for a teenager, taking the place of Kylian Mbappe.
Felix’s $120 million transfer fee was also Atletico’s most expensive signing and Benfica’s biggest transfer.
Joao Felix is Dating an Actress
The 26-year-old Atletico and Portugal’s attacking midfielder is in a relationship with Margarida Corceiro. She is a Portuguese actress who is fondly known as Magui Corceiro.
23-year-old Magui is also a model, influencer, and TV personality. Her relationship with the football star started in 2019.
Joao Felix Looks Up to the Likes of Kaka and Rui Costa
Hugo’s older brother may be his idol but Joao has his own idols in the world of football. He admitted to watching and idolizing Kaka and Rui Costa. This even made the forward emulate some of their playing techniques and styles.
He Made it to Portugal’s Squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup
Despite his challenging season at Atletico, Joao Felix is in good form for the 2022 World Cup. In a club game against Almazan in November 2022, the Portuguese player proved to be worth the World Cup naming when he scored a goal in their 2:0 win.
He has the most goals of all the strikers in Atletico Madrid with 3 goals in the season. With this, there are high hopes that playing alongside one of football’s greatest, Ronaldo, he would impress the world even more.
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