
Saúl Ñíguez, João Félix’s former Atlético Madrid teammate, blamed the Portuguese forward’s pitiful work ethic and lamented his wasted talent.
Félix joined Saúl at Atléti in 2019 from Benfica for a reported €127 million (£109.8 million, $149.8 million) fee, making him the fifth most-expensive signing ever at the time. The elfin playmaker went on to feature in 131 games for Atlético without truly justifying his price tag before leaving for Chelsea on loan in January 2023.