João Félix, born in Viseu in 1999, secured his professional trajectory through the youth ranks of FC Porto before moving to Benfica in 2015. He emerged as a high-profile talent during the 2018–19 season, ultimately commanding a transfer fee of €126 million to join Atlético Madrid, marking one of the largest financial transactions in football history.
Professional Development and Early Records
Before his rise to prominence, Félix underwent significant training at Os Pestinhas and later FC Porto. At age 12, he relocated to live near training facilities, occasionally contemplating withdrawal due to limited pitch time. After a loan period at Padroense, he joined Benfica at age 15. His professional debut occurred on 17 September 2016 for Benfica B, making him their youngest debutant at the time. His tenure with the reserve team included a hat-trick against Famalicão in 2018.
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Félix joined the Benfica first team for the 2018–19 season under coach Bruno Lage. He quickly became a critical asset, scoring in the Lisbon derby and the O Clássico against Porto. His performance in the UEFA Europa League, specifically a hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt on 11 April 2019, established him as the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the competition at 19 years and 152 days. He concluded his time at Benfica by helping the squad win the league title.
International and Spanish Campaigns
In 2019, Félix joined Atlético Madrid on a seven-year contract. His tenure in Spain saw him contribute to the 2020–21 La Liga championship. Throughout his career, he has undergone various loan spells, including time with Chelsea and Barcelona. On the international stage, he represented Portugal across multiple youth levels before debuting for the senior national team during the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals. He has participated in UEFA European Championships in 2020 and 2024, as well as FIFA World Cups in 2022 and 2026.
Fast facts
- Born: 1999, Viseu, Portugal
- Professional debut: 17 September 2016
- Atlético Madrid transfer fee: €126 million
- 2019 Golden Boy award recipient
- 2020-21 La Liga winner
- Senior international debut: 2019 UEFA Nations League
- 2025 Saudi Pro League champion
- 2025 Saudi Pro League Player of the Season
Questions readers ask
Which major clubs has João Félix played for?
He has played for Benfica, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Al-Nassr.
When did he win the Golden Boy award?
He received the award in 2019, becoming the second Portuguese player to win the honor.
Achievements
- Worked as association football player
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