Felix arrived at Milan towards the end of the winter transfer window, joining from Chelsea on a six-month dry loan deal. The hope was that he would be a much needed injection of creativity and technical quality to the attack, and he scored on his debut against Roma.
However, from that moment things haven’t gone to plan. It remains his only goal for the club and the Portuguese has lost his place in the starting line-up, especially after the recent switch to a three-man defence.
For now, though, the future is on hold. Felix is focused on the present and in particular on the Coppa Italia final, which is less than two weeks away. He spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport as an ambassador of Mizuno at the The Pitch-Football Store, reflecting on his time with the Rossoneri so far.
Joao, what was your first thought when you found out in January that Milan wanted you?
“Before the offer arrived, I watched Milan games and thought that I would have liked to play in that shirt. When the offer came, everything became very easy: I told my agent pJorge Mendes] to do everything possible to close the deal and it went well.”
Together with Barcelona, Real Madrid and a few others, Milan are among the elite of the most important clubs in the world. It is different to wear this shirt than to wear others. And when Milan comes after you, it is difficult to say no.
Everyone knows that Kakà was my role model. If only you knew how many videos of him I watched to learn his secrets… If I could ‘steal’ one quality from him, I would want elegance.
“In the past I met him in person and it was a great emotion, but since I’ve been in Milan I’ve never met him. Maybe one day he’ll come to one of our matches and I’ll see him again.”
In your first match for Milan you scored against Roma in the Coppa Italia with a chip…
“I was very happy to have made my debut with a goal at San Siro, in front of our fans. It was a very beautiful moment.”
It’s a shame that after that personal (and team) success you haven’t had many more. Sometimes instead of the attacking midfielder role you have also played as a midfielder, like in Empoli
“I always do what is needed for the team. I’m here to give my best, whether I play in defence, midfield or attack. I train to the max and try to be ready when the coach needs me.
The important thing is that we come from two wins in a row, one of which in the derby. The team is doing well and we want to continue like this until the end to fulfil the dream we all have, which is to win the Coppa Italia. We have confidence and good feelings.
Good. I knew him before coming here, both as a coach and as a person [Joao is a friend of Sergio’s son, Rodrigo]. Ours is a normal relationship, like that between a coach and a player.”
Are you disappointed that fourth place and the consequent qualification for next season’s Champions League are now out of reach?
“Yes, because this was the club’s objective. Unfortunately, fourth place is far away and we probably won’t be able to achieve it, but we still have to do our best in the last four round of the season and above all win the Coppa Italia. We all want to finish this season on a high.”
“It’s a goal we have to reach because Milan has to play in Europe. We all know this well and day after day we are preparing for the final. But without forgetting that there are two more matches before and that we want to do well on Monday in Genoa.
It’s been a few years since I won [since LaLiga in 2020-21] and I would like to experience certain sensations again. It would also be important for the club and for our fans.”
What kind of Coppa Italia final do you expect against Bologna?
“It’s difficult because we played them in the league and lost 2-1 at their stadium. They play good football and if you leave them space, they can hurt you. We’ll have to prepare well and get to May 14 fully focused.
Rafa is an incredible player, as well as a great guy, a teammate who helps me a lot. It’s important to have someone like him in the team because he’s always positive on and off the pitch. And when he takes on his opponents with the ball at his feet it’s a spectacle.
“I knew him from the youth team in Portugal, when we sometimes played against each other, and then from the call-ups to the national team: he continues to grow and improve.”
“In person, yes, but I had seen him on TV. What a left foot he has… He is a fantastic person and I get along well with him off the pitch too. In general, however, I am happy with the group I found at Milan: I was welcomed well in the dressing room and everyone helped me from day one.
“Truly incredible. I had only been there once before, but now that I have a house, I am starting to get to know the city. I go for walks with my family, my friends and my dog.
“I am learning about Italian culture and I also appreciate your cuisine, always paying attention to the instructions of the coaching staff.”
