Joao Felix: My relationship with Simeone is very good

Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix has recognised that without hard work and sacrifice it will be almost impossible for him to reach the heights that he wants to reach.

Speaking ahead of the second leg of Los Rojiblancos' Champions League last-16 tie against Chelsea, the 21-year-old disclosed that he hopes he will make it to the top.

"Without willpower, talent doesn't come," Joao Felix said during Tuesday's pre-match press conference.

"A lot of talented players didn't make it to the top because they didn't have the desire and I don't want that to happen to me."

Some have stated that Joao Felix finds it difficult to adapt to what Diego Simeone wants from him defensively, but he rejects this notion.

"At Benfica and in the [Portuguese] national team I also had to defend." he noted.

"Here I'll do what I have to do."

There were also sections of the media that tried to pit Joao Felix and Simeone against each other after the playmaker's celebration away at Villarreal, even though he came out and made clear that this was directed towards Renan Lodi.

"I already said on Instagram that it was a joke with Lodi," Joao Felix commented.

"He was winding me up before the game, telling me I didn't score against anyone and when I got the goal I did the gesture for him.

"The press like to talk about things they don't know.

"He was winding me up before the game, telling me I didn't score against anyone and when I got the goal I did the gesture for him."

Speaking directly about his relationship with his coach, the Portugal international revealed that they get on well.

"My relationship with Cholo is very good," Joao Felix stated.

"He always tries to help me and we're here to help each other.

"I am happy here. You have moments that are not so good, and maybe this is one of them, but I'm sure I will come through it."