Joao Felix Names His Greatest Teammates 11

Back in the day, the ceiling was the limit for Joao Felix, whose £108 million Benfica-to-Atletico Madrid move remains one of the most expensive in football history. An alumnus of one of the best academies in world football, there was no limit to what the Portuguese playmaker could go on to achieve – but his career has taken a nosedive in recent times.

Now, nearly seven years on from that lofty transfer, Felix is 26 years old and is already plying his trade for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, a division which typically homes stars of yesteryear who are looking to pick up a pretty penny before retiring.

Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and AC Milan are a fine collection of clubs to have turned out for and, as a result, the 1999-born star has played alongside all manner of talent. Combine his club career with 50 appearances for Portugal and his all-time XI of teammates has a compelling case of being one of the best in the business. Let’s take a closer look.

Goalkeeper and Defence

Slovenian Jan Oblak, a lofty presence for Diego Simeone’s Atletico between 2014 and the present day, would stand with his chest puffed out in between the sticks for Felix, who had the seasoned shot stopper behind him on 125 occasions (more than any other player in his career) during his torrid time in the Spanish capital. Oblak is simply a living goalkeeper legend.

Admired by plenty of fellow professionals, Thiago Silva was on the same side as Felix on just ten occasions – but that was all that was needed for the Brazilian’s expertise and know-how to be showcased. Felix played a total of 40 games during his short spell for the west Londoners, with a mere ten of those coming alongside the elite defender, but FC Porto-bound Silva is still one of the best.

Felix then turned to his international expertise to pick a partner for Silva, who is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in football history, with his Ruben Dias pick. The 28-year-old, albeit no longer at the peak of his powers, is a four-time winner of the Premier League for a reason – and it’s a strong pick from Felix.

Flanking the bruising central defensive partnership on the right would be Felix’s compatriot and namesake Joao Cancelo, who is also now earning his corn in the Middle East, albeit for a different club.

Ex-Barcelona, Juventus and Inter Milan ace Cancelo chose to play for Al-Hilal instead of Felix’s Al-Nassr, but the most illustrious chunk of his career came for Manchester City in England. Nuno Mendes, a key member in Paris Saint-Germain’s first-ever Champions League triumph in the 2024/25 campaign, would operate on the other side of what would be considered a well-rounded back four.

Midfield

Imagine being gifted enough to be compared to one of Xavi or Andres Iniesta. Well, welcome to the world of Pedri, who has drawn comparisons to both of the Barcelona legends throughout the infancy of his career. A calm and composed figure in Hansi Flick’s engine room, the 23-year-old has already played 221 times for La Blaugrana with 21 of those coming alongside Felix.

As Frenkie de Jong once said: “Anyone who plays alongside him [Pedri] feels at ease.” That’s merely coincidental as the Dutch metronome, formerly a vital cog in Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19, is also included by Felix.

De Jong offers Barcelona something different: he can drop into pockets of space, pick the ball up and drive through opposition midfield trios with ease and, when fit, there’s an argument to state that he’s simply irreplaceable for Flick at club level.

To complete an enviably talented midfield trio, Felix opted for Manchester United’s talisman-in-chief Bruno Fernandes, who still doesn’t receive the respect he deserves. A chance creator of the highest level, the Portuguese operates at a ridiculous level – whatever the weather, for both club and country – in all phases of play. A top tier midfielder is Fernandes.

Forwards

Albeit on just 27 occasions throughout the 2023/24 campaign, Felix got to see teenage sensation Lamine Yamal up close and personal. He shot to superstardom that season, becoming a first-team regular at the age of 16, and will have his sights set on winning multiple Ballon d’Or before his career reaches its expiry date. We are far from that point, however.

For now, the fleet-footed youngster – widely regarded as one of the greatest teenagers in football history – needs to remain focused on the here and now, continuing on his upwards trajectory to becoming the crème de la crème of footballing talent.

Yamal’s character isn’t for everyone – and it’s something that has come back to bite him every now and again – but it’s a part of his game that he’s learned from Cristiano Ronaldo, who was chosen by clubmate and fellow countryman Felix to lead the line.

Ronaldo, whose collection of five Ballon d’Or is only bettered by Lionel Messi (eight), burst on the scene during a pre-season friendly against Manchester United. What followed was an extraordinary career – from United to Real Madrid to Juventus – in which fans have witnessed him score goals at an alarming rate from start to finish.

Felix, as a way of finishing off a frightening three-man attacking constellation, opted for himself. His self-obsessed inclusion, however, does mean the likes of Luis Suarez, Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva and Antoine Griezmann all narrowly miss out.

Watch Joao Felix’s greatest XI of teammates selection below:

All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 23/12/2025