João Félix: From Benfica to AC Milan – The Rise of a Football Star

João Félix is a Portuguese footballer who has captured the hearts of many with his skillful playing and incredible journey through top European football clubs. Born on November 10, 1999, João Félix started his career at Porto’s youth academy before making a name for himself at Benfica. His talent quickly gained attention, and in 2019, he signed with Atlético Madrid for a record €126 million. Now, João Félix plays for AC Milan, on loan from Chelsea, as he continues to show the world what he’s made of.
As a young player, João Félix’s potential seemed endless. From a promising start with Benfica to becoming a key player at Atlético Madrid, he has always shown determination and skill. His moves to Chelsea, Barcelona, and now AC Milan show how much top clubs believe in his abilities. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at João Félix’s career and what makes him one of the most exciting talents in football today.
João Félix’s Early Years: The Start of a Football Journey
João Félix’s journey began in the streets of Portugal, where he spent countless hours playing football. Born on November 10, 1999, in the city of Viseu, he showed a passion for the game from a very young age. He started playing football at the age of 5 and quickly joined the youth academy of one of the top football clubs in Portugal – FC Porto. Here, he started to develop his skills, and it wasn’t long before his talent caught the eyes of football scouts.
But his time at Porto was short-lived. In 2015, at the age of 16, João moved to the famous youth academy of Benfica, one of Porto’s biggest rivals. He spent a couple of years playing in the lower leagues before making his debut for Benfica’s first team in 2018. This was a huge step in his career as he made his debut at just 17 years old, a remarkable achievement for such a young player.
His debut in the first team was the start of a successful season. He helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga in 2018-2019, scoring several important goals. This achievement made him one of the brightest stars in European football. His talent and performances at Benfica did not go unnoticed, and soon, top clubs from all over Europe were interested in him. João Félix’s early years showed that he was destined for greatness, and the world was eager to see where he would go next in his career.
How João Félix Became Benfica’s Rising Star

João Félix’s time at Benfica marked the beginning of his rise to fame. In the 2018-2019 season, he played with the first team and immediately showed what he was capable of. His technical skills, quick feet, and ability to read the game impressed everyone. He scored some incredible goals and was involved in numerous assists that helped Benfica secure the league title.
His performances in the Portuguese league caught the attention of scouts and football experts all over Europe. What made him stand out even more was his versatility on the field. João could play as a forward, winger, or attacking midfielder, making him a valuable asset to any team. His dribbling skills were exceptional, and he showed an ability to beat defenders with ease.
During his time at Benfica, João Félix became one of the youngest players ever to score in a UEFA competition. His rise was quick, and it wasn’t long before bigger clubs started to make their move. João Félix’s success at Benfica earned him recognition, and his performances helped him gain a place in the national team. At just 19, he had already achieved so much, and this was just the beginning of his football journey.
The Big Move: João Félix’s €126 Million Transfer to Atlético Madrid
In 2019, just one year after making his mark at Benfica, João Félix completed a shocking move to Atlético Madrid. The Spanish club made a club-record transfer of €126 million (£113 million) to bring the young talent to La Liga. This made João Félix the fourth-most expensive player in football history at the time. The move was a big step for João, and it came with a lot of pressure to perform at the highest level.
At Atlético Madrid, João Félix faced the challenge of adapting to a new league and a new style of football. Atlético’s manager, Diego Simeone, is known for his defensive style of play, but João quickly adapted and became an important part of the team’s attack. His ability to find space and create chances made him a key player for Atlético.
Although João Félix faced some ups and downs during his first season at Atlético Madrid, he showed his potential. His performances in La Liga and in European competitions helped the team, and he was a crucial part of the squad that won the 2020-2021 La Liga title. His time at Atlético Madrid helped him grow as a player, and it gave him the opportunity to face some of the world’s best teams in one of the top leagues in Europe.
João Félix’s Success at Atlético Madrid: Winning La Liga

João Félix’s time at Atlético Madrid was marked by his role in helping the team win the 2020-2021 La Liga title. Under the leadership of manager Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid played a strong season, with João Félix being one of the team’s standout performers. Even though he was still very young, his maturity on the field was evident. He showed great understanding of the game, and his link-up play with other forwards was key to Atlético’s success.
His ability to score goals in crucial matches made him one of the top young stars in European football. João Félix’s success at Atlético was not just about his goals, though. His assists, vision, and passing ability helped his team score many goals throughout the season. He was a key player in Atlético’s attack, and even though he faced competition from other top players, he continued to prove his worth.
Despite the success, João Félix’s relationship with Atlético Madrid was not always smooth. There were moments when he struggled to find a place in the starting lineup. However, his talent never went unnoticed, and his work ethic kept him in the spotlight. His time at Atlético Madrid helped him gain experience at the highest level, and it also made him a more complete player, ready for the next challenge in his career.
Loan Moves: João Félix at Chelsea and Barcelona
After spending a few years at Atlético Madrid, João Félix found himself on loan to two of Europe’s top clubs: Chelsea and Barcelona. The first loan move came in the 2022-2023 season when he joined Chelsea in the English Premier League. Chelsea was in need of a player like João Félix, someone who could create chances and score goals. However, his time at Chelsea was short and challenging. He struggled to find consistency in the tough Premier League, but he still showed flashes of brilliance with his skills.
In 2023, João Félix made another loan move, this time to Barcelona. At Barcelona, João Félix had the opportunity to play alongside some of the world’s best players and experience a different style of play in Spain’s La Liga. His time at Barcelona was more successful, as he found a better rhythm and contributed to the team’s attack.
These loan spells gave João Félix the chance to prove himself in different leagues and learn from some of the best footballing minds in the world. His time at Chelsea and Barcelona also helped him develop a more rounded game, and by the end of 2024, he found himself back at Chelsea permanently. These loan moves were key in his development, showing that he could adapt and perform in different environments.
João Félix at AC Milan: What’s Next for This Portuguese Star

In 2024, João Félix made another big move, this time joining AC Milan on loan from Chelsea. The move to Milan has excited fans, as the club is one of the most successful in European football history. AC Milan is known for its attacking style of play, which suits João Félix’s skills perfectly. At Milan, he will have the chance to showcase his talent in Serie A, one of Europe’s top leagues.
João Félix’s time at AC Milan could be the next step in his journey to becoming one of the best footballers in the world. The team has a rich history and the kind of environment where João can thrive. With players around him who can complement his style of play, João Félix is expected to make a significant impact in Italy. The big question now is whether he will continue to develop into a superstar at Milan and reach new heights in his career.
Conclusion
João Félix is one of the most talented young footballers in the world today. From his early years in Portugal to his moves across top European clubs like Benfica, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, and now AC Milan, João’s journey has been full of exciting moments and impressive performances. His ability to adapt to different teams and leagues proves that he has the skills and mindset to succeed at the highest levels of football.
As João Félix continues to grow as a player, there is no doubt that he will achieve even more in his career. His passion for the game, combined with his natural talent and hard work, makes him a player to watch. Fans of football around the world will be excited to see what comes next for João Félix and what new challenges he will conquer in the future.
FAQs
Q: Where did João Félix start his football career
A: João Félix started his football career at Porto’s youth academy before moving to Benfica.
Q: How much did João Félix cost when he transferred to Atlético Madrid
A: João Félix was transferred to Atlético Madrid for €126 million in 2019, making him the fourth-most expensive player at the time.
Q: Which teams has João Félix been loaned to
A: João Félix has been loaned to Chelsea and Barcelona before joining AC Milan in 2024.
Q: Has João Félix played for the Portugal national team
A: Yes, João Félix has represented Portugal at various youth levels and made his senior debut in 2019.
Q: What position does João Félix play
A: João Félix plays as an attacking midfielder or forward, known for his dribbling, vision, and creativity on the ball.