Joao Felix silenced his critics with a remarkable goal during Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Luxembourg.
Prior to the match, like many other soccer players, Felix had his fair share of online trolls commenting on his prior performances. One particular individual, going by the handle @astroyazor, went a step further by making a bold wager to his followers: “If Joao Felix scores, I’ll run naked through Lisbon’s bustling Marquis of Pombal Square.”
Marquis of Pombal Square, a well-known roundabout in Lisbon, seemed like a safe bet at the time, especially since Felix began the game on the bench.
However, fate took an unexpected turn when the newly signed FC Barcelona player & Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate entered the pitch in the 61st minute, replacing Gonçalo Ramos. It was in the 88th minute that Felix unleashed a sensational strike from the edge of the penalty box to score the screamer.
Be careful what you promise 🤣😅 pic.twitter.com/kEE7kfurGi
— 433 (@433) September 12, 2023
In most cases, such audacious online wagers made by trolls go unnoticed, but this time was different. Joao Felix not only noticed but also responded to the original tweet with a sly message: “Warm yourself up,” essentially challenging the person to honor their end of the bet. To add to the humor, Felix’s fellow Portugal teammate, Rafael Leao, joined in on the conversation with laughter-filled comments.
just to let y’all know that tomorrow i’m flying to Portugal to make the damn video running naked 🏃🏻♂️👀
— yazor (@astroyazor) September 12, 2023
The troll, much to everyone’s surprise, gracefully accepted the challenge and later updated his tweets, confirming their intent to fulfill the bet by running naked through the streets of Lisbon. This announcement garnered eager anticipation from Portuguese fans.
The story’s moral is a simple one: We should think twice before making bold online bets involving professional soccer players, as they may be watching, and the unexpected can quickly turn the tables.
Joao Felix with Portugal National team
Joao Felix’s recent stunning goal against Luxembourg gives him hope for a brighter future in Portugal’s national team. It’s been nearly three months since he last earned a starting spot in a game for his country.
His most recent start came in June, during a European qualifier against Bosnia, where he played for just 62 minutes. The 23-year-old’s international career has been somewhat disappointing so far.
Felix made his national team debut at the age of 19 in 2019, playing for 70 minutes on the left wing in a Nations League semi-final against Switzerland. Since then, he has appeared 32 times, scoring six goals and providing three assists. These numbers are considered modest for a player of his talent.
João Félix is making his first start for Portugal at the age of 19 years and 207 days old.
The youngest player to make his debut since Renato Sanches in 2016. 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/GxNDkBwBkR
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 5, 2019
Injuries and inconsistent starting opportunities have marked Felix’s international journey since his debut. He has struggled to string together a series of standout performances to establish himself in the squad.
Felix is likely banking on his recent move to FC Barcelona to help him regain the form he exhibited as a teenager at Benfica. He hopes to carry that form into the national team and impress his new national team manager, Roberto Martinez.
His ultimate goal is to secure the left-wing position for himself ahead of the Euro 2024 in Germany, which is just around the corner.
