When Joao Felix signed for Atletico Madrid in 2019, it s fair to say there were plenty who doubted it would be a happy marriage.
Atletico shelled out €126million on the Portuguese talent who had taken the Primeira Liga by storm in his first season, scoring 15 times despite not even being in the Benfica first team when the campaign had begun.
But how was this technical virtuoso going to fit into an Atletico side characterised by its work rate? How would he adapt to the demanding principles implemented by Diego Simeone?
Maverick talents known more for their technical attributes than anything else had often been seen as Simeone s blind spot, hence some trepidation about whether he was the right man to nurture Joao Felix.
The Portugal international s Atlet…