How to Play Like Joao Felix

So you want to learn how to play like Joao Felix. I don’t blame you. Felix has a unique style of play. And he might be the new Cristiano Ronaldo. Maybe a bit more humble though. Joao Felix plays the game like all the best players do, as if he’s playing a pick up game on the street, everything is done with such a carefree manner – as though he knows what you are going to do before you do it.

For such a young player, Felix is really exceptional though, the way he dribbles and strikes the ball. He’ll be a joy to watch for years to come. If you want to play like Joao Felix then do the unexpected, pull off that move or trick to beat the defender and strike the ball with power when the chance is there. Don’t be afraid to go at players on the dribble. It’s what sets players apart. And defenders hate it.

Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix scores stunning goals in either half vs. Juventus in a 2-1 win in the 2019 International Champions Cup. Sami Khedira added the lone goal for Maurizio Sarri’s side.

Joao Felix scored his team’s second goal and added an assist in Atletico Madrid’s 3-0 win vs. the MLS All-Stars. Marcos Llorente opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half and Diego Costa netted Atleti’s third goal in second-half stoppage time as the MLS All-Stars were held scoreless for the first time since 2011.

From the NY Times story on Joao Felix:

“Nuno Gomes fell for Joao Felix’s vision, his perception and, in particular, his first touch: the way he seemed to know what he was going to do before he received the ball. “He thinks faster than the others,” he said.

João Tralhão, a coach who worked with Félix during his rise through the academy, saw it in the way he approached training sessions. “That’s what is most important at that age,” Tralhão said. “Training, not competition. It is a good indicator for a coach of how far a player will go.” What stood out, to Tralhão, was that Félix had the air of a perfectionist, even in the most basic exercises.”

The talk now though about Felix is if he should move to another club and be more of the featured player. A team where he’d be the star and get more touches on the ball and be able to lead the team.