Joao Felix: The Portuguese Golden Boy Award Winner
Joao Felix is a dynamic and versatile footballer who has established himself as one of the most promising talents of his generation. He has won the Golden Boy Award alongside prestigious names like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham.
With a career marked by impressive achievements and recognition, Félix continues to be a key figure in both club and international football. Join us as we explore the career and life of Joao Felix.
Player Profile – João Félix Sequeira
João Félix is a forward for Chelsea and the Portuguese national team. He began his football journey at local club Viseu before joining Benfica’s youth system at age 15.
His talent quickly shone through, leading to a breakthrough season with Benfica’s first team in 2018-2019, where he earned accolades such as Liga Portugal Player of the Month and Primeira Liga Player of the Year.
In July 2019, Félix signed with Atlético Madrid for a club-record fee. While his time at Atlético included mixed results due to injuries and adapting to Diego Simeone’s system, he displayed his flair and versatility.
A loan move to Chelsea in January 2023 allowed him to further showcase his abilities in the Premier League. He is known for his technical skill, creativity, and ability to play in various attacking roles.
Player Profile Overview
Player Name | João Félix Sequeira |
Date of Birth | 10 November 1999 |
Place of Birth | Viseu, Portugal |
Height | 1.81 m |
Weight | 154 pounds |
Nationality | Portuguese |
Current Club | Chelsea |
Position | Forward |
Preferred Foot | Right |
Youth Career | Os Pestinhas Porto Padroense Benfica Portugal U18 Portugal U19 Portugal U21 |
Senior Career | Benfica B Benfica Atlético Madrid Barcelona Chelsea Portugal |
Awards & Recognition | Primeira Liga Player of the Month – January 2019 SJPF Young Player of the Month – January 2019 2018-19 UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season 2019 CNID Best Revelation Footballer of the Year 2018-19 Primeira Liga Best Young Player of the Year 2019 Golden Globes Best Newcomer 2019 A Bola Player of the Year 2019 Golden Boy 2019 Globe Revelation Player 2x La Liga Player of the Month La Liga Goal of the Month – April 2024 2021-22 Atlético Madrid Player of the Year 2x Atlético Madrid Player of the Month |
Joao Felix’s Early Life and Background
João Félix was born on November 10, 1999, in Viseu, Portugal, into a family with a strong educational background. His father, Carlos, was born in Brazil and works as a teacher, while his mother, Carla, is also a teacher. Félix grew up in a supportive environment, with both parents nurturing his interests and talents.
Félix’s younger brother, Hugo Félix, also plays football and is part of Benfica’s youth ranks. Following in João’s footsteps, Hugo has shown promise as a young talent and has been part of the same club’s developmental system, highlighting the family’s deep connection to the sport.
From a young age, Félix showed a keen interest in football. He began his youth career at local clubs, starting with Viseu 2001, where his skills quickly became apparent. His talent was evident early on, leading him to join the youth academy of FC Porto in 2008.
At FC Porto, Félix continued to develop his skills, impressing coaches with his technical abilities and football intelligence. His performances in the youth ranks caught the attention of scouts, and in 2015, he moved to Benfica’s youth academy.
Joao Felix’s Playing Style and Strength
João Félix is a versatile and highly skilled attacking player, capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, second striker, or winger.
He is known for his creativity, vision, and precise passing, he excels in linking midfield with attack and creating scoring opportunities.
His strengths include exceptional dribbling, ball control, and finishing. Félix’s adaptability allows him to thrive in various formations, making him a dynamic and influential presence on the field.
João Félix Club Career: Early Beginnings and Youth Development
João Félix’s football journey began at a young age, displaying a prodigious talent that quickly caught the attention of scouts.
Félix began his youth career with local side Os Pestinhas before moving to the more prominent FC Porto academy. His talent continued to shine at Porto, which paved the way for his move to Benfica’s youth system in 2015.
Rise to Prominence with Benfica
Joao Félix’s rise to prominence came with Benfica, where he made a significant impact during the 2018–2019 season. After a standout performance with the B team, he was promoted to the first team.
Under the guidance of coach Bruno Lage, Félix played a crucial role in Benfica’s 2018–2019 Primeira Liga title win. His versatility allowed him to excel as a second striker in a 4–4–2 formation, contributing with 15 goals and 7 assists in the league.
This performance earned him the Liga Portugal Player of the Year award and solidified his reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young talents.
Atlético Madrid and a New Challenge
In the summer of 2019, Félix made a high-profile move to Atlético Madrid for a transfer fee of around €126 million, a record for both the club and La Liga at the time.
His adaptation to Atlético’s style was marked by versatility, as he played as a winger, second striker, and attacking midfielder. Despite facing some injury setbacks, Félix showcased his creative prowess and technical skills, contributing to the team’s La Liga title in the 2020–2021 season.
Notable teammates during his tenure included the likes of Luis Suárez, who provided invaluable experience, and Koke, a key figure in the midfield.
Joao Felix’s Loan Spells and Further Developments
Félix’s career saw him embark on loan spells to expand his experience and influence. In January 2023, he joined Chelsea on loan, where he continued to exhibit his attacking capabilities in the English Premier League.
His time at Chelsea was marked by flashes of brilliance and significant contributions, further demonstrating his adaptability and skill.
Return to Spain with Atlético, then Loan with Beyond
Félix’s return to Atlético Madrid saw him reintegrated into the squad, where he aimed to build on his previous successes.
However, he notably fell out with Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone and forced a loan move to FC Barcelona. At Barca, he scored some important goals for the Blaugrana and although Barca flirted with the idea of retaining him their financial situation meant they could not afford him. Ultimately, he rejoined Chelsea on a permanent transfer.
Notable Teammates and Influences Throughout Joao Felix’s Loan Career
Throughout his career, Félix has played alongside some of football’s elite. At Benfica, he was teammates with the likes of João Cancelo and Rúben Dias.
His time at Atlético Madrid saw him alongside world-class players like Jan Oblak and Antoine Griezmann. Playing alongside Polish goalscoring machine Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona and sharing the pitch with high-profile figures such as Reece James and Enzo Fernández at Chelsea.
Winning the Golden Boy Award
João Félix achieved notable recognition early in his career, He became the second Portuguese player, following Renato Sanches, to win the Golden Boy award in 2019, recognizing him as the best player in Europe under the age of 21.
Félix received this accolade ahead of other young talents like Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho. Additionally, in December 2019, he was ranked 28th in the voting for the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
Joao Felix: Playing on the International Stage
Félix has emerged as one of the most promising talents of his generation, drawing comparisons to some of the greatest Portuguese footballers. His journey through the youth ranks to the senior national team has been nothing short of remarkable.
Joao Felix’s Youth Career and Early International Exposure
João Félix began his football journey in the youth systems of FC Porto before moving to SL Benfica, where he truly began to shine. His performances at Benfica’s youth levels caught the eye of national selectors, leading to his involvement with Portugal’s youth teams.
Félix represented Portugal at various youth levels, including the U18, U19, and U21 sides. His time with the U19 team was particularly noteworthy, as he played a crucial role in Portugal’s campaign during the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where they finished as runners-up.
Senior National Team Debut and Early Milestones
Félix’s senior international debut came on June 5, 2019, at the age of 19, during the UEFA Nations League semi-final against Switzerland.
Although he didn’t score, his inclusion in the squad was a clear signal of his potential and the faith the Portuguese national team had in him. Portugal went on to win the tournament, giving Félix his first major international trophy.
His first international goal came on September 5, 2020, in a UEFA Nations League match against Croatia. This goal marked the beginning of what many predict to be a prolific international career.
Landmark Achievements
One of Félix’s landmark achievements with the national team came during the UEFA Euro 2020. Although Portugal didn’t progress far in the tournament, Félix’s involvement at such a young age highlighted his importance to the national team.
During the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, João Félix scored his first World Cup goal in Portugal’s 3–2 victory over Ghana in the group stage. Following this, Félix continued to showcase his skill and playmaking abilities.
In the Round of 16 match against Switzerland, he provided two crucial assists, contributing to Portugal’s dominant 6–1 win and helping his team advance to the quarter-finals.
Playing Alongside The Legendary Cristiano Ronaldo
Throughout his international career, Félix has played alongside some of the most talented footballers in the world. His partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been particularly significant.
Playing alongside Ronaldo has allowed Félix to learn from a player who has dominated international football for over a decade. In addition to Ronaldo, Félix has shared the pitch with other notable Portuguese players such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rúben Dias.
The Future of João Félix in International Football
João Félix’s international career still has potential for greatness. At the 2024 UEFA European Championship, he was a sparsely used substitute and missed a penalty in the shootout loss to France.
However, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Félix may play a crucial role in Portugal’s campaigns. His progress will be closely watched, as he continues to mature and refine his game, with many predicting that he could become one of the leading figures in Portuguese football in the years to come.
João Félix’s journey from youth football to the international stage has been marked by consistent growth and impressive performances. As he continues to develop, his name is set to become synonymous with Portuguese football excellence, following in the footsteps of the legends who came before him.
Idols and Influence in Football
João Félix’s idol growing up was Ricardo Kaka and Rui Costa. Kaka had exceptional technical skills, vision, and ability to create and score goals. Félix admired Kaká’s elegance and intelligence, aiming to replicate his blend of creativity and composure.
He also idolised Portuguese playmaker Rui Costa for his leadership and playmaking abilities. Joao Felix aspires to emulate Costa’s control of the game and vision for creating scoring opportunities.
Joao Félix also draws inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo’s work ethic, dedication, and success. Ronaldo’s ability to handle pressure and deliver in crucial moments influences Félix’s approach to the game.
Joao Felix’s Personal Life
Félix was in a relationship with Portuguese actress Margarida Corceiro until May 2023. The relationship garnered public attention, given both Félix’s prominence in football and Corceiro’s status as a public figure.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, Félix demonstrated his commitment to community support by donating equipment to a hospital in Viseu through a crowdfunding campaign.
Conclusion
João Félix’s career trajectory reflects a blend of prodigious talent and resilience. His recognition with the Golden Boy award and his notable ranking in the Ballon d’Or voting underscore his potential and impact.
Felix’s career may have taken a hit, but as he moves to Chelsea, the English Premier League is the best platform for the Portuguese to kick his career back on track.