Hugo Félix: Following in the footsteps of his brother at Benfica – More talented in João’s eyes
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On April 14, 2019, Hugo Félix was in the spotlight of the cameras at the Estádio da Luz for the first time: Pizzi’s cross, João Félix’s right-footed shot, goal for Benfica – in the 53rd minute, the then 19-year-old scored the goal to make it 3-1 against Vitória Setúbal (4-2) and celebrated it with his four-year younger brother, who was standing behind the goal as a ball boy. In the near future, Hugo Félix himself could be on the pitch with some of his brother’s former teammates.
Just a year after João, Hugo Félix also joined Benfica’s youth set-up and the footsteps of the €127.2 million departure have not been too big in the youth set-up so far. The 17-year-old is proving to be just as capable of scoring goals. While João scored a total of 15 goals in 26 matches in his first U19 season, Hugo, who also wears the captain’s armband and already picked up experience in the U23s, has already scored 11 goals in 13 matches.
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That Kluiverth Aguilar would move to Europe was already certain last year. Signed by Manchester City, the right-back is currently under contract at Lommel SK, which also is part of the City Group.
For Xavi Simons the last season was a mixed back. First close to the first team, the talented attacking midfielder has been ignored by Mauricio Pochettino and is currently considering a transfer to another club.
Mexiko, Canada or England: For now Marcelo Flores the talented midfielder has opted for Mexico’s U20 but it is expected that Flores will await a final decision as Canada remains in the mix to secure the services of the 18-year-old.
Hannibal Mejbri is the third player in the calendar to switch national teams. Previously with France, the Man United talent has since made the switch to Tunisia.
Not surprising Caden Clark will join RB Leipzig this winter. This year the 18-year-old played his first full season with New York Red Bulls with whom he was eliminated in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
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Yusuf Demir has fulfilled his wish and joined FC Barcelona where he has already made his debut for the first team.
His abilities and performances earned Hugo Félix his first professional contract at Benfica in July 2020. “If he listens to those who want to help him, he will be successful,” João Félix told the club’s TV channel BTV, admitting that his brother is definitely more talented than him. “He does things that I couldn’t do at his age. He has everything to be good and make it to the first team. For his age, he works a lot.”
Hugo Félix, like brother João, wants to play in a way that “excites the spectators”
His skills have caused astonishment time and again, such as last May when he left the entire defence of the U17 team in the dust after a solo run against FC Porto (4-0). “He is very dangerous in front of the goal for a midfielder. He is fast, has a very good overview of the game – his technique and ball control are outstanding for a 17-year-old. In addition, he has a good shot,” TM user and Benfica fan Gaitan10 describes the skills of the youth international. “He reminds me a bit of his brother João.”
Hugo Félix also plays in the attacking centre, but usually as a number 10 – a bit deeper than his brother. His drive to score goals if possible, however, is just as strong. “We both like to score goals. He shoots better free kicks than I do, I’m better at penalties,” João explained. “But we both play more or less the same positions. (…) Since we were little, we’ve watched each other play and tried to do the same things.”
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TM user Gaitan10 also sees parallels between the brothers in terms of weaknesses and potential for improvement. Hugo Félix, he says, has problems in “aerial duels, he’s small and could improve a bit physically.” At least in terms of physicality, something has visibly changed in recent months. But the Félix brothers would much rather thrill the spectators with their style of play anyway. “In football, you just have to play, but we want to do something different, something that excites the spectators, and we have some things in common,” João said.
From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2003. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.
