From 127 million euros to 20 million euros: The road to Felix s fall

When Joao Felix's name is associated with the slightly "short" price of 20 million euros, the entire football world sighs. Five years ago, Atletico Madrid spent 127 million euros for him, pushing him to the throne of the fifth most expensive player in the world, hoping that he can become the next Ronaldo.

Five years later, the former "golden boy" returned to where his dream began - Benfica with a plunge of more than 100 million euros. This is not only a transfer, but also a silent verdict, declaring the loss and fall of a genius in the highly anticipated situation. The "crown" of expectation crushed his wings that summer of 2019, Felix was the hottest name in Europe. The 127 million euros paid by Atletico Madrid for him is a heavy "crown". Everyone hopes that he can create his own era in La Liga like Ronaldo back then.

However, Madrid's reality runs contrary to dreams. Under Simeone's iron-blooded and harsh tactical system, this Portuguese genius who needs freedom and inspiration always seems out of place. Although his data is acceptable, his talent that is visible to the naked eye is firmly trapped by the shackles of tactics and cannot be used to it. He never showed a stable performance that matched his value. The wandering "prodigal son" was lost in London. In order to seek change, he was loaned to Chelsea in 2023. In the more open Premier League, people look forward to him being reborn. However, the fog in London seemed to have lost his direction. Throughout the 2023-24 season, only 11 goals were scored in 40 games, and this report card was far from being passed for an attacker who had been highly anticipated. Coupled with frequent injuries, his light was further consumed at Stamford Bridge.

When top giants like Liverpool and Barcelona no longer regard him as their key target, a cruel reality is in front of you: Felix is no longer the "dear" that can make the whole of Europe crazy.

The last redemption: Return to the place where the dream began

Now, with a net worth of 20 million euros, returning to Benfica where the dream began, this should have been the last chance of redemption for Felix's career. In the most familiar environment, remove all the pressure and regain the omnipotent self.

However, even the fans in their hometown are full of questions about his future. Five years of cruel reality have smoothed people's expectations. Can this 25-year-old former genius prove himself again? Or will it sink into this and become another regrettable "harm Zhongyong" in football history?

Felix's story is a typical case of how expectations and stress destroy talent. His fall reminds us that in the world of top football, talent is just a ticket to the game, and strong inner and adaptive abilities are the key to how high a player can fly in the end.