Joao Felix reveals the club he rejected before signing with AC Milan

Young Portuguese striker, Joao Felix is a professional footballer, who is known for his technical skills, dribbling, and creativity. The attacker rose to prominence at Benfica, where his impressive performances earned him a big-money move to Atlético Madrid in 2019. However, he struggled to fit into Diego Simeone’s rigid system, often finding himself out of position and unable to showcase his attacking flair. Loan spells at Chelsea and Barcelona followed, but neither stint provided the long-term breakthrough he needed. Despite flashes of brilliance, the inconsistency and tactical mismatches have prevented him from fully living up to his potential. 

Felix’s dribbling and close control allow him to glide past defenders, while his vision and passing make him an excellent playmaker. He possesses a sharp footballing IQ, enabling him to find space and link up effectively with teammates. Joao is also a composed finisher, capable of scoring from inside and outside the box. His versatility allows him to play as a second striker, attacking midfielder, or even a winger.

Joao Felix stated,

“I knew about the greatness of this club, Milan are huge. From the outside, you can see it's a very big club, and when you're inside, you realise you're in one of the biggest clubs in Europe.”

He added,

“Yes, my agent told me about it. He said that Inter was interested. But I had already started talking to Milan, and I had already decided to come here. I said it would have been impossible, I had already made up my mind.”

Joao Felix previously had loan spells at Chelsea and Barcelona before returning to Atlético Madrid, where a transfer fee of just over £45 million was agreed for his potential return. However, under Enzo Maresca, he struggled for regular Premier League minutes, with Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto, and Noni Madueke preferred in attack. 

Most of his appearances came in Chelsea’s Conference League campaign, where the club remains favorites. On deadline day, AC Milan seized the opportunity to sign Félix, and during his unveiling, he praised the club’s stature and expressed his desire for a permanent move.

Joao Felix recent form doesn't inspire confidence 

Joao Felix’s recent form has been inconsistent, reflecting both his talent and struggles for regular game time. During his loan spell at Chelsea, the striker received a red card during his debut against Fulham, which sidelined him for three games. Recently, he managed to score a goal against AS Roma in a Coppa Italia fixture, marking his first goal for Milan.

In the 2024-25 season, Joao Felix has played 22 games for Chelsea and AC Milan, scoring 8 goals and providing 2 assists. He is looking to regain form and establish himself as a key player, aiming for a fresh start in a more suitable tactical system under Sergio Conceicao.