João Félix renews for 4 seasons

João Félix has renewed his contract with Sport Lisboa e Benfica, valid for four seasons. The 18-year-old midfielder is in his third season with an eagle upon his chest.

Despite being only 18 years old, the attacking midfielder was already called up for the Portugal U-21 squad and he is a constant option in the team led by Hélder Cristóvão, where he made his debut on September 17^th, 2016, becoming the youngest ever Benfica B player in the second division. At the time, with only 16 years, he entered the pitch in the 83’ in the scoreless draw against Freamunde. 

On February 15^th, 2017, another milestone. He became the youngest player ever to score in the Ledman LigaPro, scoring the goal of Benfica B in the away match at Ac. Viseu (2-1). He entered the pitch in the 68’ to replace Florentino Luís and he scored, in the added time (90’+1’), the single goal of the reds. 

In the 2016/2017 season, he made a total of 38 official matches (12 in the II Liga, 16 in the U-19 National Championship and 10 in the UEFA Youth League) and was the standout performer of Benfica's campaign in the European competition, where he ended up being elected by UEFA as one of the five most promising players.

In 2017/2018, his third season with an eagle upon his chest, he has already made 13 matches (7 in the Ledman LigaPro, 5 in the UEFA Youth League and one in Premier League International Cup). 

It was already playing for Benfica that João Félix reached the National teams. The midfielder has already deserved the attention of Rui Jorge and was called up for the Portugal U-21 squad commitments, the first time when he was still 17 years old.

So far, the youngster has made two matches for the Portugal Youth team, against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania.

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia
Pics: Archive / SL Benfica