João Félix turns 22 in search of his definitive explosion

João Félix is ​​celebrating. The Portuguese forward has returned to the national team and concentrated with the rest of his international compatriots He was able to celebrate his 22nd birthday in a season where his absolute takeoff is expected.

Atlético’s ‘7’ started the 2020-21 season at a very high level and was named the best player in LaLiga in November last year. However, the problems with his ankle forced him to drag discomfort throughout the end of the season, with an eye only to be able to help the team to get the league title and to be able to be in the Eurocup. After the European tournament he underwent surgery and in October it was possible to see the best version of João Félix again, a player who is pure talent and who wreaked havoc on that offensive trident thrown to the left thanks to his quality, ability to combine and technique.

But it still does not establish itself as indisputable for Simeone. And it is that the Portuguese has a great handicap compared to his competitors for the position, since in talent he can compete against anyone, but in tactical and defensive work Correa and Griezmann are above and that is key for Simeone. The french has gone rediscovering sensations on his return and with his great goal at Mestalla he continues to make numbers as the team’s second highest scorer. Correa adapts to that trident above but also to put his work as a right inside at the service of the team.

And situations like that of the game against Valencia itself do not help João Félix, who although he could do little, entered the 87th minute with 1-3 on the scoreboard and watched as Valencia took the tie in injury time ending up very angry and going to the bench indicating that “It’s always the same”. Now, João Félix has to fight for a gap before the enormous competition in the offensive section, to which Lemar and Llorente will return in the break. He has plenty of talent, and at 22 he hopes to continue growing in the team also in maturity and stripes. A very young player with all the future ahead of him and who will have to work to make this his year.