Joao Felix's talent is 'worthless' because he lacks work ethic, one of his former team-mates has sensationally claimed.
The 25-year-old's career at the elite level could already be over after he departed Chelsea for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr this week.
He became one of the most expensive players in history when Atletico Madrid signed him for £113million from Benfica in 2019, and Chelsea signed him for £46.3m a year ago.
But now he leaves Stamford Bridge for a mere £26m in a deal which will rise to £43.7m - a sign of his falling stock after a season blowing hot and cold.
Few doubt the ability of Felix, who was Europe's Golden Boy in 2019, but he has struggled to be an unimpeachable starter over the last half-decade at various clubs.
And Saul Niguez, his former Atletico Madrid comrade, said: 'Joao has all the qualities to be an incredible player, but no matter how good you are, if you don’t work, it’s worthless.'
'I heard a phrase from Paco Jemez (a Spanish manager) that said that talent without work is nothing.
'Many of us have tried to help Joao, but if you don’t want to...'
Saul was speaking after leaving Atletico for Brazilian club Flamengo.
Felix joins his Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, who announced his arrival with a short video on social media in which Felix said: 'I am here to spread joy. Let's win together.'
He made 20 appearances for Chelsea in the first half of the season - but started only three Premier League games - before leaving for AC Milan on loan in January.
'We thank Joao for his efforts across his two spells at the club and wish him well for the future,' Chelsea said in the statement.
He had been linked with a return to his boyhood club Benfica, but a move didn't materialise.
Felix emerged from Benfica's legendary academy and helped them to win the Primeira Liga in 2019, before joining Atletico in what is the fourth-most-expensive transfer of all time.
His career is already the envy of most footballers. Alongside a LaLiga title with Atletico Madrid and Europa Conference League crown with Chelsea (admittedly only playing four games in their continental campaign), he has also racked up 45 appearances for Portugal and won the Nations League twice.
However, the consensus is that he is yet to live up to his potential and Maresca was unable to find a spot for him in his side for the second half of last season, hence his loan to AC Milan.
Kestinakent
0
Saul that’s talking about Chelsea, what happened to his own his career too? Pot calling kettle black 😂. They both are same feathers
it shows you don't know Saul at all, he was one of the core players in the ATM back then before his injury crisis, the injury was so bad that he finds it difficult to get match fitness, he was on loan at Chelsea in 18/19 season under sarri and play a meaningful part in that season winning Europa League.
Wehabdmou
3
Ronaldo is going to encourage and make joao Felix a great player again by working harder.
tutekntuz
0
Both are bird of desame feather
Miubdkru
0
For me, Sterling is the most worthless talent of all-time (WOAT)
AFerjTsN2851
1
Joao Felix is unlucky there’s no couch believe in him
kowcilopyz
1
what I see about him is that he is a selfish player
Suarezzy
0
I sensed attitude problem in Felix one La Liga game against Barca when he pushed and tried to ask for a "fight" from Messi. And he was just a boy then. It is like Yamal challenging Ronaldo, or being disrespectful towards him. That's an attitude problem. These legends have to be respected and tolerated to some degree, I mean when they are wrong or caused the fail...it's not just Felix but a lot other youngsters 2day. I think them getting a lot of money, and being able to buy anything they want, go anywhere they want, date anyone they want at such a young age get to their senses and make them lose discipline. It's not easy, I think they should be helped. I wish Felix well. Hopefully he can return to Europe, or Benfica, at some point.
Rodrigo did it against Messi in copa America
SpeedRashyDon10
0
I don't agree that just cuz they're legends they should be tolerated even on the pitch of competition. Messi was wrong to have physically confront Felix because of an issue that was between Alba and Felix even after the halftime whistle. In my opinion, if Messi tried to make peace especially during the heat of the incident, it would have been perfect but to pick a side against an opponent and walk up to him in the form and manner he did was wrong. Busquet did the right thing by removing Felix because he knew Messi was wrong. Being a legend doesn't give a person the right to violate or intimidate others. Just for the record, it was Messi that picked a fight with Felix and not the other way around. Search the clip and watch it to get your claim right. Thanks!
you didn't watch anything Ronaldo fanboy
wenbimnpt
0
former Chelsea..
Wiklnptuz
1
Ronaldo's hard working is going to materialize Flex
returnofthesaith
0
Ure wrong pls. Saul Achieved a lot at Athleti B4 coming to Chelsea unlike Felix .
You don't run down your fellow athletes
returnofthesaith
0
sorry to say.his career over
His career is not over, he will certainly rediscover himself under the guidance of Cristiano Ronaldo. Best of luck Joao Felix!
miubcdilpy
0
sorry to say.his career over
kolonegooner
1
You can see it in the way he plays.
sunglex
0
Ronaldo will finish joao felix career with him in al Nassr
yidceklotu
0
How was his own spell that came from chelsea 😅 loud noise 😂
Can you compare Saul was coming to an end of of his peak when he came to Chelsea
kinbcimy
2
Saul is talking about work ethic ok. But Joao Felix's have real row lalent, but Joao Felix's can't work hard to make that talent push him higher up in the game, So he will be playing for AL-Nassr FC .
TrevorR
0
I sensed attitude problem in Felix one La Liga game against Barca when he pushed and tried to ask for a "fight" from Messi. And he was just a boy then. It is like Yamal challenging Ronaldo, or being disrespectful towards him. That's an attitude problem. These legends have to be respected and tolerated to some degree, I mean when they are wrong or caused the fail...it's not just Felix but a lot other youngsters 2day. I think them getting a lot of money, and being able to buy anything they want, go anywhere they want, date anyone they want at such a young age get to their senses and make them lose discipline. It's not easy, I think they should be helped. I wish Felix well. Hopefully he can return to Europe, or Benfica, at some point.
I don't agree that just cuz they're legends they should be tolerated even on the pitch of competition. Messi was wrong to have physically confront Felix because of an issue that was between Alba and Felix even after the halftime whistle. In my opinion, if Messi tried to make peace especially during the heat of the incident, it would have been perfect but to pick a side against an opponent and walk up to him in the form and manner he did was wrong. Busquet did the right thing by removing Felix because he knew Messi was wrong. Being a legend doesn't give a person the right to violate or intimidate others. Just for the record, it was Messi that picked a fight with Felix and not the other way around. Search the clip and watch it to get your claim right. Thanks!
TrevorR
0
I sensed attitude problem in Felix one La Liga game against Barca when he pushed and tried to ask for a "fight" from Messi. And he was just a boy then. It is like Yamal challenging Ronaldo, or being disrespectful towards him. That's an attitude problem. These legends have to be respected and tolerated to some degree, I mean when they are wrong or caused the fail...it's not just Felix but a lot other youngsters 2day. I think them getting a lot of money, and being able to buy anything they want, go anywhere they want, date anyone they want at such a young age get to their senses and make them lose discipline. It's not easy, I think they should be helped. I wish Felix well. Hopefully he can return to Europe, or Benfica, at some point.
It's untrue, he didn't push Messi, I watched that match. It was a semi final between he and another player after either the half time whistle of the normal time or extra time. Messi confronted him as captain though I don't know what exactly he told Felix, frankly he didn't care, he just kept smiling while Messi was confronting him. He didn't go physical with Messi.
Lesbckmptz
0
Saul is a vagabond
Yuwabilnr
3
This is exactly what happens to any sports man who is lazy. To become a super star u have to put up Extra training even when others have left. The lazy ones are always focused on the money to be made from football.
Yuwabilnr
1
Saul that’s talking about Chelsea, what happened to his own his career too? Pot calling kettle black 😂. They both are same feathers
Ure wrong pls. Saul Achieved a lot at Athleti B4 coming to Chelsea unlike Felix .
Barongagz02
4
Saul that’s talking about Chelsea, what happened to his own his career too? Pot calling kettle black 😂. They both are same feathers
kushagra9shah
1
How was his own spell that came from chelsea 😅 loud noise 😂
Still has done triple of what felix ever did
Iffy106
2
Talent without working is nothing
Widbiltz
1
He allowed ego to kill his career when he was at Atletico Madrid
TobaElegbe
1
That is the problem with most footballers nowadays, very skillful but lacks the required work rate, that is the difference between what CR7 and Messi offers
Sovoty
4
I sensed attitude problem in Felix one La Liga game against Barca when he pushed and tried to ask for a "fight" from Messi. And he was just a boy then. It is like Yamal challenging Ronaldo, or being disrespectful towards him. That's an attitude problem. These legends have to be respected and tolerated to some degree, I mean when they are wrong or caused the fail...it's not just Felix but a lot other youngsters 2day. I think them getting a lot of money, and being able to buy anything they want, go anywhere they want, date anyone they want at such a young age get to their senses and make them lose discipline. It's not easy, I think they should be helped. I wish Felix well. Hopefully he can return to Europe, or Benfica, at some point.
Yorokiri
3
Talent is never enough...
bleetoe
1
facts
woweklouy
1
How was his own spell that came from chelsea 😅 loud noise 😂
Sidceimnty
1
Definitely failed