Welcome to All Football Scouting Report, in here we will take you a closer look at world's promising stars. Portuguese sensation has attracted interest from a host of leading European clubs, now he close to finish a stunning €126 move to Atletico.
Felix, 19, made his first-team debut for Benfica last season, helping the Lisbon side win the Portuguese league title by scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists in 21 starts. The Benfica wonderkid dubbed as the next Cristiano Ronaldo. According to reports, Atletico Madrid are set to sign Portugal midfielder Joao Felix from Benfica for 126 million euros, but how good is he? Let's take a closer look:
Playing Style
His style of play is quite similar to the young Ronaldo. He is very skilful, agile and has an excellent technique on the ball.
He has an unreal vision when it comes to setting up goals for his fellow teammates.
He has scored a lot of curled strikes, at the Youth level. He is very skilful and is at his best while playing one-touch football or the tiki-taka system.
He has been scouted heavily in the last few years by a lot of clubs who consider him to be the next big thing for Portuguese football after Cristiano Ronaldo has hung up his boots.
Even at the age of 19, he is expected to match the greatness of fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo by the end of the career.
What are Félix’s strengths?
Capable of playing out wide, a No.10, a false 9, or as part of a front two, it won’t come as a huge surprise that the Portuguese’s biggest strengths are evident when he has the ball.
His technique and vision are flawless and that allows him to either ease beyond opponents or take an entire defence out of the game with a single pass.
What are Félix’s weaknesses
Several young players break into a first team and look ready for senior football. They have the physique required to go up against even the most powerful of centre-backs.
Félix doesn’t. He is lightweight, whispy. And the fact he has braces does give an impression of a boy among men.
Of course, in time, he will develop further, so it isn’t a weakness per se. And his natural ability means defenders do find it hard to use their greater baulk against him as he can nip past them in an instant.
Rising through the ranks
Felix spent seven years at Porto’s academy before being released in 2014 because he was deemed too small.
He moved to Benfica and quickly impressed as he made his reserve team debut a year later.
He was then promoted to the senior side at the start of this season and has gone on to score 15 times in 26 appearances, while he’s also notched seven assists.
Why such the high price tag?
Benfica clearly do not want to see another highly-rated youth prospect leave for another European league, like former starlet Renato Sanches.
Felix signed a new contract in November amid reports of a number of clubs watching him closely.
That improved deal will keep him at the Portuguese club until 2023 and increased his buyout clause from €50 million to €120 million.
Benfica will not sell unless the clause is activated, when they will have no choice.
Who has he been compared to?
He possesses many of the same talents as Cristiano Ronaldo because of his pace, goalscoring ability and creativity.
Felix has also been compared to retired Portuguese attacking midfielder Rui Costa.
Who does he want to play with?
Felix has been touted as the next Ronaldo and the player himself has hinted at a move to Italy to play alongside his hero.
Felix told Tuttosport: “All the best Portuguese players have gone to play in the most important foreign leagues, and of course I’d like to do that too.
“I’d like to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo because he is simply the best. He’s an idol, a world icon, an example for everyone.”