The Problem Lies with the Player Himself
João Félix Proves: Simeone Was Right
For years, it was believed that Diego Simeone was the problem for João Félix, but time has revealed the truth.
According to reports, João Félix, the 25-year-old Portuguese forward, possesses dazzling talents like game intelligence, goal-scoring, ambidextrous shooting, technique, dribbling, and the ability to beat defenders—qualities that make him the dream of any aspiring footballer. However, he lacks traits that less talented players often have: attitude, motivation, commitment, and consistency.
For years, it was believed that Félix’s struggles stemmed from Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid’s defensive-minded coach, who supposedly couldn’t bring out the best in him. However, Félix has failed to shine under managers like Frank Lampard, Xavi, Enzo Maresca, Sérgio Conceição, and Roberto Martínez, proving that the issue lies with him.
Félix has failed to meet expectations at Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, and AC Milan. He relies on motivation, but in professional football, discipline trumps inspiration.
During the 2022 World Cup, where Félix had a brief moment of brilliance, Simeone remarked that short tournaments suit him because players like him can shine temporarily but lack long-term consistency. This was a clear critique of Félix’s inability to maintain performance.
Last summer, Félix left Atlético Madrid for Chelsea in a €60 million move—a club where he had previously struggled. In his first half-season at Chelsea, he played a marginal role and was eventually loaned to AC Milan. Milan’s coach, Sérgio Conceição, initially trusted his compatriot, and Félix showed promise early on but quickly declined. In his last match, he didn’t play a single minute, and in the two previous games, he only saw 11 and 15 minutes of action. Benchwarming has become routine for a player of his talent.
Simeone once said that Félix couldn’t adapt to Atlético Madrid’s culture and identity, and this issue has repeated itself at other clubs. Instead of adjusting his abilities to fit the team’s needs, he expects teams to adapt to him. Félix’s future may lie in less demanding leagues like Saudi Arabia or Turkey, where he might shine without needing consistency.
