Portugal international João Félix has officially completed his move from Chelsea to Saudi Pro League giants Al‑Nassr, a high‑profile transfer that reunites him with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese attacking midfielder has signed a two‑year contract with the Riyadh club, keeping him at the King Abdullah Sports City side until the summer of 2027.
From the moment Al‑Nassr confirmed the deal on July 29, 2025, Félix wasted no time delivering his first public remarks. In a video released across the club’s official social media channels, he declared: “I’m here to spread joy. Let’s win together.” The club’s announcement captioned the message with, “Let’s win together … João Félix is a Nasraoui,” emphasising his immediate commitment to the squad’s ambitions.
Chelsea released an official statement acknowledging Félix’s departure, confirming that he had played 20 times in all competitions last season and scored seven goals during his final year at Stamford Bridge. The club expressed gratitude, thanking him for his contributions during two distinct spells with the Blues and wished him well in his new chapter.
Financial details of the transfer differ in reports, but most credible sources converge on a total value of approximately €50 million (£43.7 million, $58 million). This sum is understood to comprise an initial transfer fee of roughly €30 million (around £26.2 million) plus performance‑related add‑ons of €17.5 million (about £17.5 million). Arabic media outlets report that Félix will earn around $10 million per year in wages, reflecting the club’s serious financial commitment.
Félix’s career trajectory has been one of extraordinary early promise followed by a series of underwhelming chapters. He burst onto the scene as a teenage wunderkind at Benfica, earning a move to Atlético Madrid in 2019 for €127.7 million – one of the most expensive transfers in football history. However, he never fully adapted to Diego Simeone’s rigid system and struggled to live up to expectations over five seasons in La Liga.
Loan spells at Barcelona and Chelsea followed, and Chelsea ultimately signed him permanently in August 2024. Yet the return did not reinvigorate his trajectory; after limited starts and another loan to AC Milan, the Portuguese forward’s search for consistent impact continued.
Reports indicate that Benfica had made an effort to re-sign their former academy graduate this summer, but talks broke down over financial divergences. Chelsea reportedly demanded too much compensation, while Félix was reluctant to take a wage reduction.
Ultimately, Al‑Nassr stepped in, confident they could offer both the financial package and the football environment he desired—especially the lure of playing alongside Ronaldo under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus.
The timing of this move aligns with Al‑Nassr’s ambition to establish itself as the dominant force in the burgeoning Saudi Pro League. The club has pursued global stars aggressively since Ronaldo’s arrival in 2023 and has also added Brazilian midfielder Mateo Retegui and Italian internationals to its roster.
Félix arrives as part of this continuing project to elevate the league’s profile and build a squad capable of competing domestically and in continental competitions. He will look to capitalize on his creativity and technical flair in a team being shaped under Jorge Jesus, whose appointment earlier this summer promised a Portuguese flavour to the club’s rebuild.
Although still only 25, Félix has found himself in unfamiliar territory. Some critics view this move as a resignation: after failed spells across Europe’s top leagues, a major Saudi club seems more a destination of financial comfort than sporting resurgence.
Others argue it presents an opportunity to reset expectations and deliver his best football since bursting onto the scene. Spanish and Portuguese media are split—some suggest this could be his redemption, while others see it as the start of a premature decline.
At Al‑Nassr, he joins the Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently signed a two‑year extension, and will compete under the guidance of Jorge Jesus.
The Portuguese manager, basing tactics around his fellow national, is expected to deploy Félix in roles best suited to his versatility—whether as a false nine, a No. 10 or second striker—positions he believes suit him best and where he feels he can make the greatest impact.
In a recent interview, Félix himself reflected on this: “I think where I can perform best is in the central area of the pitch, something I haven’t played in the last four years. Whether as a false nine, a No.10, a second striker, I think that’s where I can help the team the most, where I can contribute the most.”
Félix’s arrival coincides with Al‑Nassr’s preparations for the Saudi Super Cup semi‑final against league rivals Al‑Ittihad on August 19. Fans will be eager to see if the former Golden Boy can ignite their hopes and contribute decisively in silverware pursuits.