João Felix's Move to Al-Nassr
Last summer, forward João Felix confirmed his transfer from London's Chelsea to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr. The deal cost the club 25 million euros, and his contract with Al-Nassr runs until the summer of 2027. At his new club, Felix has delivered impressive numbers, scoring 21 goals and providing 15 assists across 37 appearances.
Amid Felix's success at Al-Nassr, the performance of his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo has also been notable. Ronaldo has scored 22 goals and made 4 assists in 37 matches, with his contract also extended until 2027. Reflecting on his move, Felix stated:
“I was happy at Chelsea, it's a great club, but I had to do what felt right for me. Securing a place for the World Cup was also a decisive factor.”
National Team Duties and the World Cup
Since moving to Al-Nassr, Felix has also played 6 matches for the Portuguese national team, scoring 2 goals and making 1 assist. Portugal has been drawn into Group K for the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Uzbekistan and Colombia. The third team in Group K will be determined by the playoff final between DR Congo and Jamaica. Portugal's first World Cup match is scheduled for June 17th in Houston, USA.
In other news, Bayern Munich will not renew the contract of Raphaël Guerreiro, who will leave the club as a free agent. Additionally, it's worth noting that Cristiano Ronaldo was not called up to the Portuguese national squad due to his fitness.
João Felix's transfer to Al-Nassr highlights a growing trend of players from top European leagues choosing lucrative contracts in the Middle East. His strong form could be crucial for his international prospects. This move reflects the shifting dynamics of global football, where emerging leagues are attracting top talent with ambitious projects and financial power, while veteran stars like Ronaldo navigate the challenges of maintaining their place at the highest level.