Cristiano Ronaldo once dreamed of being the world's best soccer player, and now, Joao Felix wants to follow his in his footsteps.
That's according to the 19-year-old's former youth coordinator, Rodrigo Magalhaes.
Felix became the world's most expensive teenager of all time when he joined Atletico Madrid in a $137 million deal from Benfica this summer, less than a year after making his first team debut at the Estadio da Luz.
His propulsion to stardom has seen him draw heavy comparisons to Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who like Felix, was plucked from his home country shortly after his breakthrough season in the Primera Liga, but by Manchester United.
As a youngster, Ronaldo made no secret of his desire to be the best soccer player in the world — a dream he went on to make a reality, becoming one the sport's most successful and decorated players ever during his spells with United, Real Madrid, and most recently Juventus.
And Magalhaes, who watched Felix's development first hand at Benfica, says the Atleti striker has ambitions similar to that of his countryman.
"Since his meteoric rise last season, the comparisons between Joao and Ronaldo have been constant," Magalhaes told Business Insider. "Ronaldo made history in Portuguese and world Football, and his legacy is in the highest level in history.
"Ronaldo confessed that he dreamed of being the best player in the world, but he didn't expect to achieve all the success he has now. Joao is a young talented player with similar dreams."
Ronaldo, now 34, has a trophy cabinet laden with team and induvidual honours.
As well as winning 26 major titles in England, Spain, and Italy, the self-confessed "God of football" has also won the Ballon d'Or a record five times, been named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI for each of the last 12 seasons, and captained Portugal to back-to-back international honours in the European Championships and UEFA Nations League.
Magalhaes is unsure whether Felix can match such lofty accomplishments, but insists the teenager will write his own chapter in soccer history regardless.
"We don't know if he will overcome Ronaldo, but we know that he will work to be the best," the Benfica youth coordinator said.
"João Félix will make is own path, and we will be waiting for his success."
Felix will next be in action on Saturday when Atletico take on Real Sociedad, as Diego Simeone's side looks to maintain it's 100% start to the new campaign.
