The midfielder discussed the return of the talented forward, who scored against Villarreal on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid captain Koke said Joao Felix can fulfil his massive potential if he listens to Diego Simeone and his team-mates after making a goalscoring return from injury.
Joao Felix had been sidelined since January because of a muscle injury but Atletico’s record signing came off the bench and scored in Sunday’s 3-1 La Liga success over Villarreal.
The 20-year-old attacker came from Benfica at the beginning of the year and has scored five goals across all contests.
“Everyone can understand what is expected of Joao, he is a young boy and he’s lots of room for advancement,” Koke said post-match.
“Many great players have had to adapt to Atletico and it is not simple, he is young.
“If he listens to the boss and his team-mates, he’ll be the player that everyone wants to see.
“He has not been lucky with injuries, but I am positive that, in the long run, we will see the Joao we would like to see.”
Atletico came from behind in the Spanish capital, where Simeone’s side trailed to Paco Alcacer’s 16th-minute opener in Wanda Metropolitano.
Angel Correa, Koke and Joao Felix led the comeback as Atletico moved up to third in La Liga, behind leaders Barcelona and town rivals Real Madrid.
“Talking about Koke, our captain, our talisman and among our longest-serving gamers [with] Saul [Niguez], [Jose] Gimenez, Thomas [Partey],” Simeone said.
“He knows what we are searching for, a strategic condition that lots of gamers do not have and a pass that appears slow but he knows where he is.
“He can play on the right, in the center. He and Saul would be the people who can play in almost any position.”
Simeone paired Correa with Alvaro Morata up front as well as the Atletico head coach added:”Both worked really well, they have a great deal of power in their feet to go out and press people. Morata did an excellent job and Correa is in fantastic form. We’re very satisfied with the competition for places.
“The return of [Kieran] Trippier, Joao Felix… [Yannick] Carrasco is getting better, [Sime Vrsaljko] is extremely powerful, Vitolo had a wonderful game and the replacements brought new legs.”
