European Qualifiers, Lithuania 1-5 Portugal: 3 Talking points

Modified Sep 12, 2019 07:11 GMT

#2 Joao Felix's international career yet to hit the heights expected

Joao Felix had a breakthrough campaign last season with Benfica, scoring 20 goals in all competitions to help The Eagles to the Primeira Liga in Portugal.

His form last term earned him a mega move to Atletico Madrid and the 19-year-old has hit the ground running in the La Liga, scoring one goal and assisting another from three matches to help Diego Simeone's side sit at the top of the league standings.

However, for all of his exploits on the club scene, Felix is yet to blossom on the international stage. And that would come as a disappointment to his compatriots, given his immense talents.

He entered this latest round of international fixtures with just 30 minutes under his belt in Portuguese colours and once again started the game against Serbia from the bench.

Against Lithuania, Felix was deployed from the start, and he watched on from the periphery of the game as Ronaldo took centre-stage.

There is still an abundance of time for Felix to come good for Portugal, and with Ronaldo still around to show him the ropes, it is highly likely that he would blossom into a sparkling superstar for Portugal.

About the author

Elvis is a seasoned football journalist and has been with Sportskeeda for more than 6 years. He specializes in writing match previews across several leagues and competitions around the world, and his insightful tips have amassed a total readership in excess of 9.2 million till date. Elvis' meticulous attention to detail and strictly following SK's editorial guidelines have been key to achieving a vast readership. He has also exclusively covered the 2021 Nigerian Universiy Games and has provided research for an upcoming biography for a Nigerian football legend.

Elvis has been a Super Eagles fan since 2004, and them beating defending champions Cameroon in the AFCON that year left a lasting impact on him. He supports Sporting Lagos at club level and loves to watch games live at the Onikan Stadium due to its buzzing atmosphere. His favorite football players are former Nigerian forward, Osaze Odemwingie and former Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez.

If Elvis could change one football rule, it would be to not be booked for celebrating with pitch side fans. He believes that football is a passionate game and celebrations should be encouraged to the fullest. When not analyzing the latest previews, Elvis indulges in activities such as swimming, reading, and karaoke.

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Edited by Shashwat Kumar