The Portuguese Joao Felix (20) arrived at Atletico Madrid with quite a few expectations, but had a hard time adapting • Now he is returning home to Lisbon, for the Champions League final - and the Colchoneros are confident he can take them far • Tonight in the quarter-finals he will try to make a difference Opposite Leipzig

• Athletico Madrid. , This opportunity will come in Lisbon

  Photo: 

  IPI

In a perfect world, one where things work out perfectly, Cristiano Ronaldo would have been credited with being the informal ambassador of the "Champions League Tournament" in Lisbon. Growing up in Sporting, he played at the Jose Albalada Stadium, left the city 17 years ago and has since established himself as one of the greatest in the world. One can only imagine what would have happened if he had returned to where it all began, and won the cup with Juventus, but it is not a perfect world - probably in 2020 - and Lyon had their own plans that stuck CR7 in Turin.

Without him, and in the absence of Portuguese teams, the role of unofficial ambassador passed to the next big Lisbonist on the list: Joao Felix. Although he grew up in Benfica and left the city just a year ago, the opportunity to save his season in Lisbon made him the new party nail. "The Champions League is the record for every player," he told MARCA in one interview of many kinds, "but for me even more, because it happens near home."

Returning to Lisbon does - at least for now - an excellent service for the most expensive acquisition in the history of Atletico Madrid (126 million euros). Beyond being close to family, the Colchoneros chose to settle in Seychelles, Benfica's training ground, where the 20-year-old extremist had developed the skills that had brought him so far. Felix not only gets to smell the familiar grassy scents, he also enjoys the support of people who know all his sides.

Felix. Need every possible piece of encouragement // Photo: AP

 "The difficulties he has had this season are normal for a 20-year-old guy," testified Joao Tarlio, who coached him at Benfica's children's team, adding: "I have no doubt he will be much more significant later on." Former Portuguese striker Pedro Paulta said: "I believe in this tournament Joao will prove he can make a difference." As in the rest of the world, the streets of Lisbon are deserted. Still, when Joao is on the field, there will always be Benfica fans cheering on whoever was their idol until last season.

"Amazing qualities"

Just before the final straight of Atletico's debut season, Felix needs every bit of encouragement possible. What started with expectations to get into Antoine Griezmann's shoes and become the new star of the Colchoneros, was very quickly replaced by difficulties adapting to Diego Simeone's style and an unconventional amount of injuries. The Portuguese managed to survive only 1,757 minutes in the league (51% of the total minutes) during which he contributed only six goals.

In the Champions League he scored twice, but here too he played only half the time possible. So far, there is nothing to define Felix's season as a failure, but at the same time take into account the fact that it is not over yet. "He understands the situation and knows he can overcome the situation through his football," his teammate Seoul said this week, "he has amazing qualities, and I believe he will be critical for us in recent games."

Felix in concluding training. He will play an important role in the mission // Photo: AP

Despite the absence of Angel Correa who was diagnosed as positive for Corona, Felix is ​​not expected to start tonight in the quarterfinals against RB Leipzig. Marcus Jornetta and Yannick Crasco are ahead of him in the hierarchy, but Atletico believe he will play an important role in the task. According to teammates, the Portuguese has maintained high morale all along, hoping that someday the opportunity will come to put a stamp on the season.

 Sponsored by Corona Damages, this opportunity will come in Lisbon - the place that made Felix one of the most valuable players in history. In a perfect world, it ends with a goal in the final and a cup win.