The devaluation of Joao Felix's status at Atletico Madrid turned him from the quiet boy to the angry down • Even after allegedly cursing Diego Simeone, the coach declared he was proud of him • Tonight he will try to erase the home loss to Chelsea (, (1: 0 and advance to the quarterfinals Champions League
Felix vs. Chelsea in the first game.
Will help athletes make a comeback?
Photo:
IP
There are certain players who are suitable for certain clubs.
It has to do with character, identity, persona.
Luis Suarez, for example, is tailor-made for Atletico Madrid.
He was not born there, did not grow up there and came only this season, but the feeling is that he has a lot of it.
Because like an athlete, the Uruguayan is also rough and biting, a fighter and a pusher, uncompromising and unexcited.
It is no coincidence that the match between them was immediate and perfect, without the need for acclimatization, as if they were meant for each other.
He already has 18 league goals (two more than all of last season at Barcelona) and if one has to choose a face to put on the great season that Diego Simeone's team has experienced, there is nothing more suitable than Suarez.
Joao Felix is not Luis Suarez.
And so on, there is not much of Atletico in it.
When he arrived from Benfica two years ago for 126 million euros - a club record - he was a good boy in Lisbon, with flowing hair, a boyish smile and loose and graceful football.
It was impossible not to wonder how the 19-year-old pure talent would fit into Simeone’s shredder, and the first season left the question marks in place.
The Portuguese scored just nine goals in all competitions and at no point was able to maintain stability.
Often the business seemed too big for him and too tough for him, and the injuries did not add to the confidence.
Joao opened this season with a storm.
Seven goals in the first ten games in all competitions gave the impression that this was happening, but then the decline came again.
In December, the Portuguese started in a derby against Real (2: 0 loss) and was replaced after a weak 60 minutes.
Three weeks later he was again at 11 in a 1-0 loss in the Cup to Cornia from the third division, and was replaced again after a bad 75 minutes.
Next came the Corona virus which disabled him from two games, and all of these together took him down the hierarchy.
In 2021 Simeone put Felix in 11 just four times in the league.
"El Cholo" was not only disappointed with the ability of the extremist, but also with the attitude.
"Without passion, talent is not enough," the Argentine explained in an interview with
"shut your mouth!"
The turning point, perhaps, came in front of Villarreal about two weeks ago.
In the 69th minute of the league game, 25 minutes after coming on as a substitute, Felix scored the 0: 2 that ensured the first away win over the yellow submarine since 2015. It was a nervous goal, of a nervous player, and so The celebration too.
The Portuguese put a finger to his mouth as if silencing everyone, then let out a shout: "Shut your fucking mouth, damn it!".
It is not clear to whom this gesture of Felix was intended, but its general direction was the area of the benches.
In any case, whether there was a goal or not, Simeone would have kicked.
"I really like rebellious players," the Argentine said at the end, "I like proud players who are determined to change things when things are not going their way. When the players are proud and rebellious, I want them with me."
More than any goal or cooking, this act made it clear to everyone that Joao Felix is experiencing a transformation.
Less pleasant boy walks, more man standing on his own.
Less smiles, more nerves.
Less Lisbon, much more Atletico Madrid.
The group were happy to see the Portuguese change, expressing emotion, not humbly accepting his inferior status, angry.
Last night, at the press conference ahead of tonight's crucial game against Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-final rematch, one of the first things Simeone did was announce: "Felix has started in the squad."
After a 1-0 loss in the first game, "El Cello" needs the most warrior, most nervous, most scratchy and most Atletico players he has - and the Portuguese has a great opportunity to prove that he is.