Portuguese star João Félix is enjoying a period of remarkable brilliance with his current club, Barcelona, continuing his knack for finding the back of the net and proving once again that he is one of the most prominent attacking talents in world football. With each goal and assist, Félix is getting closer to matching his personal best tally in a single season, bringing back memories of the meteoric rise that made him a target for Europe's top clubs.
Historical background: The exceptional 2018/19 season with Benfica
It's impossible to discuss João Félix's career without mentioning his 2018/2019 season with Benfica. That season, the young Portuguese talent exploded onto the scene, scoring 20 goals and providing 11 assists in just 43 appearances across all competitions. These exceptional statistics for a player who was only 19 at the time not only put him on the world football map but also earned him the Golden Boy award and prompted Atlético Madrid to pay a staggering €126 million to acquire him, making him one of the most expensive players in history.
Atletico Madrid's challenges and the loan period
Despite high expectations, João Félix's time at Atlético Madrid wasn't always easy. He struggled to adapt to Diego Simeone's rigid, defensively-minded tactics, which limited his creative freedom in the final third. While he showed glimpses of magic and skill, he couldn't replicate the goal-scoring prowess he displayed at Benfica. This difficult period led to loan spells at Chelsea and then Barcelona, a move many saw as a last chance to rediscover his lost form.
Shining again in Barcelona and his expected impact
It seems João Félix has found his niche at Barcelona under Xavi Hernández. The Catalan club's attacking, possession-based style perfectly suits the Portuguese star's abilities. Since joining, Félix has become a key player in the team's attack, scoring crucial goals and providing key assists for his teammates. With a good number of goals and assists in a limited number of matches so far, Félix is on track to achieve one of his best seasons ever. If he continues on this path, he will not only equal but potentially surpass his 2018/19 season's figures, which would have a huge positive impact on his personal career and Barcelona's ambitions to compete for domestic and continental titles. Félix's return to form is not only a boon for Barcelona, but also proof that true talent can shine again when given the right environment.
