At 25 years old, João Félix has officially signed a two‑year contract with Saudi Pro League giants Al‑Nassr, rejoining his fellow Portuguese national team star Cristiano Ronaldo and playing under newly appointed coach Jorge Jesus
🔁 Transfer Journey: How It Unfolded
- Initial fee of approximately €30 million (£26.2 m / $34–35 m), potentially rising to €50 million (£43.7 m / $58 m) with add-ons.
- Félix spent the second half of the 2024–25 season on loan at AC Milan, scoring 2–3 goals in 15–19 appearances.
- Chelsea signed him permanently in August 2024 (for around £45–46 m), but his inconsistent output saw him assigned to the so-called “Bomb Squad” training group alongside other out-of-favour players before the sale.
🧩 Career Retrospective
- Broke out at Benfica, earning a massive €127 m move to Atlético Madrid in 2019 — one of football’s most expensive teenage transfers .
- Since then, Félix’s career has been a nomadic journey: spells at Atlético, Chelsea, Barcelona (loan), and AC Milan (loan), with flashes of talent but lacking consistency.
- Cumulative transfer fees throughout his career are estimated at nearly €230–260 million, making him one of the top four transfer‑fee earners in football history.
🎯 The Context: Motivation and Vision
- Despite Benfica expressing interest in re-signing him, they couldn’t match Chelsea’s valuation; Félix chose Al‑Nassr for both financial reasons and the opportunity to face a different challenge — playing alongside Ronaldo and under Jorge Jesus’s familiarity with Portuguese football culture.
- His quote upon arrival reflects the mindset: “I’m here to spread joy. Let’s win together.”
🏟️ Al‑Nassr’s Squad & Strategy
- Cristiano Ronaldo recently extended his contract through summer 2027, which paved the path for Félix’s arrival and reflects the club’s long-term ambitions.
- Jorge Jesus, the experienced Portuguese coach, was hired earlier in July to drive the team’s title ambitions and integrate new high-profile recruits.
- Al‑Nassr narrowly missed out on the league title in 2024–25, finishing 3rd, despite Ronaldo ending as top scorer again (25 goals in 30 games) .
🌍 Implications & Reactions
For Félix:
- A financial reset with a five‑year deal reportedly worth £420 k/week, positioning him among the world’s top earners, albeit with critics questioning whether it’s redemption or resignations.
- A chance to reset his career trajectory in an emerging league with less pressure and high expectations of team leadership.
For Chelsea:
- A hill to climb—but largely recouped their investment. The transfer clears room in the squad, enabling moves for players like Jorrel Hato and Xavi Simons.
For Al‑Nassr:
- Adding Félix increases attacking options and branding appeal. It strengthens their bid to finally wrest the Saudi Pro League title from rivals like Al‑Hilal and Al‑Ittihad.
📅 Milestones Timeline
- July 27–28, 2025: Reports emerge of Al‑Nassr nearing a deal; Benfica interest fades.
- July 29, 2025: Clubs confirm move; media report fee and add-on structure; Félix joins pre-season training in Austria.
- July 30, 2025: Arrival confirmations and comments published globally; media react to contract length and salary details.
🧭 What Lies Ahead?
- Félix faces a pivotal chapter: become a consistent performer in a less intense but growing league, or risk stagnation away from European limelight.
- Al‑Nassr will expect more than entertainment—pressure is mounting to deliver silverware after missing the 2024–25 league despite Ronaldo’s goals.
- Portuguese synergy is unmistakable: coach Jesus, Ronaldo and Félix bring style familiarity and leadership that Al‑Nassr hopes will translate into titles.
📌 Summary Quick‑View
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | João Félix, 25-year-old Portuguese forward |
| New Club | Al‑Nassr FC (Saudi Pro League) |
| Contract | Two years (until summer 2027) |
| Transfer Fee | ~€30 m up front, up to €50 m incl. add‑ons |
| Career Path | Benfica → Atlético Madrid → Chelsea → Milan (loan) → Al‑Nassr |
| Career Fees | ~€230–260 m total transfers |
| Role at Al‑Nassr | Attack reinforcement alongside Ronaldo, under Jorge Jesus |
| Challenges Ahead | Delivering titles, consistency, managing expectations |
João Félix’s move to Al‑Nassr marks a fascinating turn in a career full of promise yet punctuated by underwhelming spells. With a fresh environment, financial comfort, and the symbolic reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, it’s a move tied with ambition—but not without risk.
Will this be the rebirth of a gifted forward or the next chapter in a career that never quite hit its early promise? For Al‑Nassr, it’s a calculated gamble aimed at regional dominance.
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