Rise of a Prodigy: Benfica’s Golden Boy

• Became Benfica B’s youngest-ever player at 16 in 2016
• Scored 20 goals in 43 games during 2018-19 breakthrough season
• Delivered iconic performances including a Europa League hat-trick at 19
• Won 2019 Golden Boy Award ahead of Jadon Sancho and Kai Havertz

Atletico Madrid: The €126m Gamble

• Third-most expensive transfer ever behind Neymar and Mbappé
• Won 2020-21 La Liga title but started only 14 league matches
• Career-best 10-goal season in 2021-22 ended by April knee injury
• Public clashes with Diego Simeone over defensive responsibilities

Loan Odyssey: Chelsea & Barcelona Chapters

• Controversial red card on Chelsea debut vs Fulham (2023)
• Became first player since Messi to score home/away vs Atletico (2023-24)
• Viral tunnel clash with Kyle Walker during AC Milan loan
• Career-best 0.66 goals/90min rate at Barcelona overshadowed by inconsistency

Saudi Pro League Crossroads

• Joins Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr on reported €15m/year deal
• Benfica return blocked by wage demands despite emotional plea
• Portugal caps reduced to substitute appearances since 2022 World Cup
• Current market value: €25m (Transfermarkt) - 80% drop from peak

Tactical Analysis: Why the Decline?

• Work rate: Ranked bottom 12% among forwards for pressures (FBref)
• Positional rigidity: Refuses adaptation to modern hybrid forward roles
• Big-game impact: 0 goals in 8 UCL knockout appearances
• Shooting efficiency: Career-high 17.6% conversion rate at Benfica never replicated

"He’s football’s Schrödinger’s talent - simultaneously world-class and underwhelming in every match."
– La Liga analyst Guillem Balague

By the Numbers