Football
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'New Ronaldo' Felix set for big club after hat trick - Eintracht Frankfurt boss

Eintracht Frankfurt coach Adi Hutter has said he expects Benfica youngster Joao Felix, who has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, to be on his way to a big club soon.

Attacking midfielder Felix, 19, became the youngest player to score a Europa League hat trick as Benfica beat Frankfurt 4-2 in Lisbon on Thursday.

"He is a rare talent for Portuguese football and for Benfica," Hutter told reporters. "If he continues to play the way he is, he will not be at Benfica for very long.

"He caused us a lot of problems. He has a good touch and makes good moves. He plays and makes others play. Benfica have to be thankful to him for what he did."

AS reported on Friday that scouts from 20 clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Bayern Munich, were at the Estadio Da Luz on Thursday.

It said Madrid were monitoring Frankfurt striker Luka Jovic, on loan from Benfica, but were "impressed" by Felix. However, a €120 million release clause could put them off making a move for the midfielder, who is under contract until 2023.

Benfica sporting director Rui Costa has said Felix will only leave if his release clause is met.

And president Luis Filipe Vieira recently said the club wanted to increase his release clause, with A Bola reporting that it will rise to €200m.

The Europa League tweeted a photograph of Felix on Thursday with the message: "The next Portuguese Superstar?"

But Benfica coach Bruno Lage urged people not to get carried away and said: "We need to be calm, let him grow and enjoy it."

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