Al Nassr wrapped up a busy 2025 summer season switch window with a number of high-profile strikes each on the sector and within the entrance workplace, many influenced by Cristiano Ronaldo’s rising position on the membership. Among the many newest departures was Portuguese winger Otávio, who has now damaged his silence after leaving for Saudi Professional League rival Al Qadsiah.
The transfer was made official on Tuesday. “Al Nassr can verify the switch of Otávio Monteiro to Al Qadsiah. Thanks for all the pieces,” the membership stated in a press release. The 30-year-old signed a two-year take care of his new staff, with the choice for a 3rd, leaving Al Nassr on a free switch.
Otávio had joined Al Nassr in August 2023 from Porto, the place he was thought of one of many membership’s cornerstones. The Saudi facet paid the Portuguese giants a €60 million charge (about $65 million) to safe his companies. Throughout two seasons in Riyadh, he made 84 appearances, tallying 12 objectives and 16 assists — numbers that finally fell wanting the expectations set when he arrived.
Since Jorge Jesus took over at Al Nassr, Otávio’s future had seemed unsure. He was omitted of each the staff’s European preseason tour and their journey to Hong Kong for the Saudi Tremendous Cup. With the summer season arrivals of João Félix and Kingsley Coman, his probabilities of that includes recurrently alongside Ronaldo diminished, paving the way in which for his departure.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Otavio of Al Nassr look on throughout the heat up previous to the Saudi Professional League match between Al Nassr v Al Riyadh at Al-Awwal Park on April 12, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Otavio’s farewell message
Following the announcement, Otávio shared an emotional message on social media: “The time has come to say goodbye, and it’s not straightforward to search out the proper phrases. I arrived in a unique nation, with its personal distinctive tradition, and I couldn’t have requested for higher folks to welcome me. Every of you acquired me as considered one of your personal and made this expertise actually particular.”
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He additionally expressed remorse about the way in which his exit unfolded. “This isn’t the way in which I might have wished to depart Al Nassr, however soccer is like that…full of choices which are typically past our management. Despite the fact that it was not my alternative, I respect and settle for it, as a result of it’s a part of this journey. Riyadh will all the time stay a particular place in my life, a metropolis that left its mark on me, and gave me the prospect to satisfy extraordinary folks. I carry with me recollections that can final without end and the sensation that I gave all the pieces, on and off the pitch,” he acknowledged.
Otávio closed by addressing the followers straight: “To the Al Nassr followers, thanks to your fixed assist and for making me really feel a part of this household. You’ve got been particular in each second, and also you deserve a lot extra. I want you all the best happiness and a future stuffed with success. Thanks, Al Nassr.”
