The Lisbon Derby: the day João Felix well and truly introduced himself to the footballing world

If there were ever any doubts, they're gone now. In front of dozens of scouts from across the continent João Felix well and truly introduced himself to the world stage.

Fans of Benfica - and Portuguese football in general - have been excited about the development of João Felix for years now. 

The 19-year old academy graduate has always been one of the highest performers, and most exciting prospects, in the Benfica youth side, and his progression comes as no surprise to anyone that has been tracking his development over the last few years.

And now, only now, is his name starting to finally ring out around the globe.

While his performances all season have been first-class - his keen eye for goal, his confidence on the ball, his technical ability and vision constantly on display - it was the match against Sporting that he truly burst onto the scene on a more global scale.

In front of gazing eyes sent from the most prestigious of clubs from all across Europe - from France to Italy, England to Spain - Felix pranced and dazzled across the field with the grace and composure that defies his teenage years. It was this game, in the Lisbon Derby, when the few doubters he had were converted and he confirmed that he would make it all the way to the top.

His hardwork on the pitch nearly paid off early on, his wonderful long-distance goal chalked off due to a foul in the build up, but his confidence to take on the strike - let alone convert it - says all you need to know about the youngster.

Not content with scoring a screamer, João Felix found the back of the net again - and this time, nobody was taking it away from him. 

Bursting through the defence, Felix met a beautifully weighted pass from Seferovic to steer the ball low and hard beyond the out-rushing keeper to put Benfica 2-0 up against their archivals.

He continued to be a menace throughout the game, the attacking midfielder/shadow striker given the freedom under interim manager Bruno Lage to take the game to the opposition, and he once again burst into the box midway through the second half to win his side a penalty, his quick feet outfoxing the goalkeeper who could only take him down to prevent another goalscoring opportunity from materialising.

Felix did show a bit of youth and inexperience when Benfica were 4-1 up, when upon a rebounded Seferovic shot that came off the post, Felix was unable to maintain composure to bag his second - and Benfica's fifth - goal of the game, blazing the ball over the bar from just a few yards out to show that he is indeed human.

But he had already done enough. More than enough. Taken off with 15 minutes still on the clock, Felix left his mark on the game, and all of those in attendance of a fascinating Lisbon Derby, illustrating exactly why he's valued at 120 million euros by the Portuguese club.

Where he'll end up in the long term is still up for debate. What is for sure, though,  is that he won't be short of suitors.