Joao Felix Equals Lionel Messi’s Stunning Champions League Record for Barcelona

• Barcelona's new forward, Joao Felix struck twice in a 5-0 demolition of visiting Royal Antwerp
• The 23-year-old was awarded the man-of-the-match award in Barca's heavy win against Antwerp
• His fast start to life at Barca has seen him match a record previously held by Lionel Messi

Joao Felix has achieved an extraordinary milestone previously associated with Lionel Messi.

Felix, who has seamlessly adapted to life at Barcelona, delivered a brace and an assist as the Catalan giants demolished Royal Antwerp in their Champions League group opener on Tuesday night.

Barcelona, who had faced difficulties in their last two European campaigns under Xavi Hernandez, showcased their dominance with an emphatic victory.

A rapid offensive surge by Xavi's squad saw the Atletico Madrid loanee break the deadlock and create an opportunity for Robert Lewandowski, propelling Barca to a commanding 2-0 lead within the opening 20 minutes.

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Felix's remarkable involvement in goals during the initial minutes of the match made him the first Barcelona player to both score and assist within the first 20 minutes of a Champions League game since Lionel Messi did so against Chelsea in 2018, per Barca Universal.

The Spanish champions, boasting five prior titles in the competition, maintained their relentless pace, netting three more goals before and after halftime, firmly stamping their authority on the victory.

This comfortable win places La Blaugrana in a commanding position in Group H, as they aim to advance from a group that includes Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, 2004 champions FC Porto, and newcomers Antwerp.

Felix will aim to sustain his impressive form when Barcelona return to La Liga action against Celta Vigo on Saturday, September 23. His superb performance on his Champions League debut for Barca earned him the title of Player of the Match.

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What Felix said after the game

"I’m very happy," an elated Felix told reporters after the game, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

He emphasized how he has rediscovered the joy of playing football following his deadline-day transfer to Barca and acknowledged the significant influence of his teammates on his rapid adaptation to life at the club.

"I’m enjoying it here! My teammates help me a lot, and I’m here to help them to bring joy to our fans and to the club."

Felix scores for Barca in UCL

In a related article, Sports Brief highlighted Joao Felix's remarkable performance for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.

Felix initiated the scoring for the five-time champions in Europe's most prestigious club competition, marking a significant milestone as Barcelona extended their streak of 20 consecutive appearances in the Champions League group stage.