The Joao Felix impact LaLiga Excelled against Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid's clash on Friday night may have been a friendly on paper, but there was nothing friendly about it. Los Rojiblancos went on to win 7-3 and one of the standout performers was Joao Felix, Atletico's 19-year-old record signing.

In the first minute, Joao Felix recorded an assist for Diego Costa in what was a sign of things to come throughout the match.

The Portuguese prodigy found the back of the net himself seven minutes later after toe-poking Saul Niguez's cross past Thibaut Courtois. Joao Felix provided the assist for the sixth goal, too. But beyond the facts - a goal and two assists - the feeling he emitted was always of an elite, world-class player.

You only had to see the way in which he controls the ball, the way he dribbles past his opponents, the peace of mind he plays with, and the way he made himself available to his teammates - it is clear that Joao Felix has something special. He does not need to play 100 elite matches for people to know that he's going to be a superstar. There's still a lot of work to do, of course, but the class he has demonstrated already is eye-opening.

Nacho Fernandez didn't know how to deal with him towards the end of the first half, leaving him on the floor before shooting at Courtois, and that chance led to Atletico winning a penalty as Isco brought down Diego Costa.

Diego Simeone pointed out in his pre-match press conference that Joao Felix was going to get some minutes against Madrid, despite the physical issues he was suffering, and the teenager displayed his quality against the 13-time European champions. Los Rojiblancos are going to have fun with their new starlet.