From Porto to Benfica 

Joao made his professional debut for Benfica’s second string at the age of 16, making him the youngest player to represent the side at the time. He played 30 league matches in two seasons between 2016 and 2018, also featuring for the club’s Under-19 side in the UEFA Youth League.

It was no surprise when Joao was promoted into the Benfica first team at the start of the 2018/19 campaign, a season that would prove to be a breakthrough one for him personally and a successful one for the club as they secured the Primeira Liga title.

Having scored crucial goals against title rivals Sporting Lisbon and Porto, as well as a Europa League hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals, he finished with 20 in all competitions.

Madrid bound 

A senior international debut followed that summer amid Portugal’s victorious UEFA Nations League campaign before the forward swapped Lisbon for Madrid, joining Atleti for a record fee for both clubs. The fee was reported to be 126m euros (£113m), making him the fourth most expensive signing in football history.

Still only 19 upon arrival in Spain, the teenage Felix was eased into the side under Diego Simeone and required to adapt to a different style of play under the Argentinian coach.

He returned nine goals in 36 appearances, including three in six in his maiden Champions League campaign, as Los Rojiblancos finished third in La Liga and reached the quarter-finals in Europe’s premier club competition.

Golden Boy

Earlier in the campaign, he was recognised individually with the prestigious Golden Boy award honouring him as the best young player in Europe and marking both that breakthrough campaign with Benfica and the start of his Atletico career.

La Liga crown 

The 2020/21 season saw Atleti crowned Spanish champions for the first time in seven years and Joao Felix started the campaign in fine form, netting eight of his 10 goals before Christmas, although injury and illness then resulted in a stop-start run in the team through late winter and spring. 

His most significant contribution came in the penultimate La Liga clash against Osasuna as he teed up Renan Lodi for a crucial goal in a comeback win that kept Simeone’s side top a week before their coronation.

He also played in both legs of their Champions League tie against Chelsea when we were on our way to lifting the trophy.

The following 18 months saw the forward recover from a troublesome ankle injury that hindered his minutes early in 2021/22, although he still had 15 goals in 55 appearances over that timeframe and was named Atleti Player of the Season for 2021/22 by the club’s supporters after ending the campaign strongly.

First Chelsea spell

Joao had scored five goals in his previous six games for Atleti as the January 2023 transfer window came around so it was no surprise Chelsea were keen to sign the forward on loan for the second half of the campaign.

The Portuguese initially impressed during his first start against neighbours Fulham, forcing the goalkeeper into a number of saves and showing some silky touches, before a reckless tackle resulted in a red card and three-match suspension.

The then 23-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge during a difficult time for the club, as we won just three of our final 17 Premier League matches under Graham Potter and then Frank Lampard, which no doubt had a direct impact on his return of four goals in 14 starts and six substitute appearances in all competitions.

Joao was a popular member of the dressing room and even though he headed back to Atleti at the end of his short loan, the Blues hierarchy remained keen on the forward.

Barca bound

Joao spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Barcelona and the forward impressed under Xavi Hernandez.

He scored ten goals and created another six during 44 appearances in all competitions and crucially, eight of his strikes were to put his team in front in games, as Barca finished the La Liga season second in the table.

Back at the Bridge

On August 21 2024, it was confirmed Joao was returning to Chelsea, this time on a permanent deal.

After moving around in recent years, the forward spoke of wanting to make Stamford Bridge and London his home for years to come.

The talent is undeniable and the forward hopes under Enzo Maresca's guidance, it won't be long before trophies return to SW6.

International stage 

Like his club career, Joao enjoyed a great start to life as a senior international, winning the UEFA Nations League during his first camp back in 2019, having started the semi-final win over Switzerland.

His first goal was to follow in the Nations League a year later, during the 4-1 win over Croatia, and despite his young age, he already has 41 caps and eight goals to his name.

Joao has also banked major tournament experience on three occasions, helping Portugal reach the quarter-finals at Euro 2020 and 2024, plus the World Cup in 2022, when he scored a vital goal in the opening 3-2 win over Ghana.