For years, Joao Felix’s profession has been a narrative of unfulfilled promise, staggering switch charges, and short-lived spells at a few of Europe’s largest golf equipment. From Atletico Madrid to Chelsea, Barcelona, and even a stint at Milan, the Portuguese ahead not often lived as much as the immense expectations positioned on him. However now, one thing has shifted. In Saudi Arabia, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Felix has lastly discovered stability and kind, and the spark behind this transformation has left many questioning what actually ignited it.
Felix burst onto the European stage with Benfica in 2019, scoring 15 objectives and registering seven assists in his breakout season. Atletico Madrid responded with an eye-watering $150 million transfer, the fifth-biggest switch in soccer historical past. However from there, his trajectory went downhill.
At Atletico, inconsistent kind and recurring accidents restricted his influence. Mortgage strikes to Chelsea, Barcelona, and Milan adopted, however none introduced the resurgence he wanted. By 2024, the ahead’s market worth had plummeted to simply $35 million, barely a fraction of what Atletico as soon as paid.
Even Chelsea’s $61 million outlay for his providers proved burdensome, as Felix did not ship constant performances. Accidents—notably recurring ankle issues—performed a task, however finally, Felix appeared a participant adrift, a expertise looking for a stage that might convey out his greatest.
The Saudi gamble
This summer time, Felix confronted a crossroads. A return to Benfica appeared probably, however as a substitute, Al-Nassr swooped in with a $35 million deal plus add-ons, doubtlessly rising to $58 million. His arrival in Riyadh marked one more chapter in a profession that had already seen staggering $289 million in whole switch charges spent on him—inserting him among the many costliest gamers in soccer historical past, alongside the likes of Neymar, Lukaku, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The gamble has already paid dividends. Felix exploded onto the Saudi Professional League scene, scoring 5 objectives in his first three matches and shortly changing into the workforce’s main scorer this season. He has now registered 11 objective involvements (9 objectives and two assists) in his final seven matches, together with a current strike in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 King Cup win over Jeddah.
The Ronaldo connection
The actual turning level, nevertheless, got here not simply from Felix’s personal efforts however from the affect of a well-known face. At Al-Nassr, he discovered Cristiano Ronaldo—Portugal’s captain, idol, and now, each day teammate. “When there was a downfall in my profession, I had a name with Cristiano Ronaldo. He helped me to regain my confidence,” Felix admitted in a current interview.
Ronaldo, who has been within the Saudi high tier since 2023, wasted no time in backing his countryman. “I believe it was a more sensible choice for Felix to go to Saudi Arabia than to play within the Portuguese league,” he advised reporters. “Joao is a really proficient participant. He shall be an ideal assist for the membership.”
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr (R) and Joao Felix of Al-Nassr (L
On the pitch, their chemistry has been instant. Felix drifts into house, carries the ball at tempo, and picks out passes that complement Ronaldo’s deadly positioning. In the meantime, Ronaldo’s presence forces defenses to concentrate on him, leaving gaps that Felix has eagerly exploited.
The 2 even mixed for objectives within the Riyadh Derby, every scoring braces and helping each other in a present of fluid, instinctive partnership. For Felix, the Saudi Professional League isn’t only a new vacation spot—it’s a rebirth. Surrounded by compatriots, mentored each day by the 40-year-old veteran, and guided by a coach who believes in him, the Portuguese ahead is lastly residing as much as his promise. After years of false dawns, Joao Felix appears lastly at residence—and the Ronaldo impact is on the coronary heart of it.
