Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix has insisted that he is under no obligation to always pass to former Manchester United frontman Cristiano Ronaldo during Portugal's World Cup campaign.
Felix has featured in three of Portugal's four matches in Qatar, with the 23-year-old being rested for the group stage defeat to South Korea. He has registered a goal and two assists for Fernando Santos' side so far at the tournament, and has impressed for his country after enduring a difficult campaign in Spain.
The former Benfica man, who has been heavily linked with a move to United in recent months, is expected to leave Atletico next year, with a number of sides around the globe interested in the attacker. His strong showings in recent weeks have led to increased speculation about his future after the tournament.
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Former Reds striker Ronaldo has dominated the headlines in Qatar - following reports, that were quickly denied, that he had asked to leave the World Cup - but Felix has insisted that the tactics will remain the same, with or without the 37-year-old.
"The tactic is the same whether he is there or not, since the first game we have used the same tactic", Felix told the press ahead of Portugal’s World Cup quarter-final against Morocco.
"He has characteristics that others don’t have, there are others who have others, the team, after all, always has the same identity."
Felix also claimed that he was not under pressure to pass to Ronaldo when they were both on the pitch, instead suggesting that the team was always looking for the 'best solution'.
He added: "I don’t feel that, that obligation to pass the ball to Cristiano. We always try to find the best solution, but everyone has their own opinion.
"For my part, I don’t feel that pressure to always pass the ball to Cristiano. When he’s giving things that others don’t. If he’s on the pitch, we play differently because he brings things to the game.
"It is not by playing or not playing that the team will play better or worse."
Portugal attacker Felix has struggled for minutes under Atletico manager Diego Simeone this term - making just nine starts in all competitions.
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