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How can Joao Felix become a Ballon d’Or winner?

Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid
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The Portuguese youngster has been supplying the goals and assists for Atletico Madrid this season, so what else is needed?

Joao Felix’s Atletico Madrid teammate Stefan Savic believes in his potential as a future Ballon d’Or winner, but warned the prestigious award will only come if he can something with the Spanish club.

The 21-year-old has begun to deliver on his club-record €126m transfer fee in his second campaign. Eight goals and three assists have come his way in only 15 appearances across all competitions.

His performances in LaLiga this season, in fact, have helped Atletico take an early lead in the table. Out of the club’s 21 league goals so far, Felix has played a direct hand in 38% of them through five goals and three assists.

“He is a different player, something that we did not have in the squad,” Savic told Goal on Felix’s progress.

“He is still a young boy, he has room to grow and you have to leave him alone.

“You have chosen the best possible club to grow. He has a great future and if he continues like this, I have no doubt that he can be a great player or a Ballon d’Or winner, but before that he has to win something with the club.”

Atletico will take a trip to RB Salzburg in Austria for their final group-stage match in the Champions League on Wednesday (21:00 CET).

As they’ve already qualified for the last-16, Diego Simeone could rest Felix and some key players.

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