Fast forward: several loans, flashes of talent, but never the breakthrough everyone expected. Now, at 25, João Félix has officially left Chelsea to join Al‑Nassr. It’s a move that signals both ambition and risk. The Portuguese forward heads to Saudi Arabia on a two‑year deal worth €30 million upfront and potentially rising to €50 million with add‑ons and reportedly earning around €17.5 million annually, all tax‑free. Is this a restart... or is Europe quietly turning away? Let's unpack the journey, the stakes, and what this means for Félix's legacy.

From Rising Star to Sideline Fixture

Once the crown jewel of European football’s next generation, João Félix’s career trajectory has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. João Félix first burst onto the scene at Benfica when he was just 20. His 20 goals and 11 assists in 43 games was spectacular and he won Young Player of the Year, Golden Boy 2019. He also won the UEFA Nations League in that very same year, a period when fans and punters alike followed his rise closely, much like they track today’s odds on top crypto sports betting platforms. After that magic, Felix immediately fell into every European big club’s radar and eventually Atletico Madrid bought him for €126 million in 2019 with a hope to break Real Madrid and Barcelona’s duopoly in La Liga. This move made him the fourth-most expensive player in history at the time. And the next season, they won LA LIGA over these two giants. His time at Atletico Madrid had moments of magic including the title success. But considering his price tag and the melodramatic circumstances surrounding him, it wasn't a successful transfer.

And soon under Diego Simeone, Félix became the fourth-choice attacker behind Correa, Griezmann and Morata. Simeone’s defense-heavy system clashed with Félix’s free-flowing, expressive style. The result: inconsistency, frustration, and moments of brilliance buried under tactical shackles. He managed 34 goals in 131 appearances, a good stats but not for a €100M+ signing who is expected to lead a new era. His chemistry with the coach soured, and his game time shrank.

Chelsea: Sparks with No Fire

Then his loan to Chelsea in 2023 was met with excitement. In the chaotic post-Abramovich era, Chelsea was assembling a new squad of promises, and Félix’s creativity felt like the missing dot. Unfortunately, he started with a red card on his debut. A few moments of brilliance followed, but ultimately, he was sent back to Madrid, seemingly unwanted. But out of the blue, they signed him in 2024 for €52 million after a spell in Barcelona under Xavi.

Barcelona: The False Rebirth

His Barcelona loan in 2023-24 under Xavi had its moments. Early goals, headlines, hype, but soon, the magic fizzled out. Félix was reduced to a rotation role, with fans and pundits questioning his consistency and work ethic. He was still only 24, but the aura had dimmed. Barca didn’t push to keep him any further.

AC Milan

He came back from Barcelona and started getting regular game time at Chelsea. Then only 6 months later, he was again loaned out but this time, it is AC Milan and surprise surprise, it hasn't worked out. It's been disastrous. This loan move only brought just three goals in 21 appearances. So he returned back to Chelsea at the end of the season, with five years still remaining on his deal. But Chelsea doesn’t want him anymore. At 25, Félix is no longer the teenage wonderkid dribbling past seasoned defenders for fun. He failed to find a suitable environment in LA Liga, the premier league and even in Serie A. Even with his supreme technical quality, he's truly cut out from the elite level.

If he uses this time in Saudi to rebuild confidence, sharpen fitness, and get back his smile, Europe might come knocking again. Players like Talisca or Mitrovic reinvented themselves here. Why not João?

Why Al‑Nassr?

Al-Nassr aren’t just any Saudi team. They are a powerhouse with Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte, and now Felix. For a player craving freedom and spotlight, it might just be the right chaos. The key pull was playing alongside his childhood idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. Reports underline that Ronaldo personally pitched the opportunity to his national teammate, saying an entire Portuguese core was built around Jorge Jesus’s arrival as head coach on July 14, 2025. The presence of Ronaldo and Jesus gave Portuguese flair to make this bold decision.

Felix could have moved back to his childhood club Benfica and Benfica was also interested in signing him. But Al‑Nassr outbid Benfica and closed the deal before the Lisbon side could match the financial and strategic package. Both Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus often spoke with Félix while in pre‑season camp in Austria, sealing the psychological aspect of the pitch.

Where He Fits at Al‑Nassr? Who Will Be His New Teammates?

Al‑Nassr finished third in the Saudi Pro League in 2024-25. The club sacked their coach Stefano Pioli. They have now appointed Jorge Jesus in July, who was sacked by Al-Hilal for finishing second, was hired in July 2025 and immediately began rebuilding. João Félix arrived just in time for pre‑season in Austria and will open with the Saudi Super Cup semi vs Al‑Ittihad on August 19. It will be most likely his first competitive start for the club.

Jesus sets up primarily in a 4‑2‑3‑1 or 4‑3‑3. Félix can slot in as the number10 behind the striker, or drift wide to give creativity. Jesus will give him the freedom to play the way he likes which he never had after moving from Benfica. In friendlies, everyone’s eyes will be on how he links play with his idol Ronaldo and Sadio Mané.

Portugal: The World Cup Connection

This is a key concern. Félix's last few Portugal call-ups were disappointing, and coach Roberto Martínez has a stacked attacking line with Rafael Leao, Goncalo Ramos, Francisco Conceicao, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernando Silva (RIP to Diogo Jota) all are in their prime. By joining Al‑Nassr with Ronaldo, Félix will train and play 40-50 matches together before June 2026. Since Felix didn't get enough game time, this move can secure his place in Portugal’s world cup squad. He will now get enough game time to prove himself.

Fan POV: Rebirth or Regression?

Portuguese fans expected Joao Felix to be a top‑tier star. But Atlético’s defensive structures limited him; Chelsea was chaotic; Barcelona and Milan only added instability. This Al‑Nassr move feels like an act of self-preservation as much as ambition. No pressure. No spotlight. Just vibes, goals, and maybe... a little peace?

Still, there's hope: rising again in an environment with less scrutiny but more autonomy. He can build momentum and confidence with teammates ahead of the World Cup. With Ronaldo's help, maybe the old magic returns.

Is the Saudi League World-Class? Not Yet, but Building

The Saudi Pro League still lags Europe’s top five. According to Twenty First Group, before the star signings, it ranked around 53rd globally, comparable to England’s League One. Fast forward today, they are standing in 16th in the ranking. In the club world cup, Al-Hilal stopped Real Madrid with a goalless draw and defeated Manchester City 4-3 in the second round which surely shows the league’s strength.

Still, the ambition is clear. Saudi aims to be in the top 5 worldwide with infrastructure overhauls, youth academies, and investment streams making it a serious long game. There’s cash in the kingdom, but top facilities still trail Europe’s standards. Training schedules shift to evenings to manage brutal heat. Players are adapting lifestyles. Still, eyes are on movement. Massive stadiums, growing youth academies, renovations ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup and a World Cup hosting bid are real moves toward parity.

Final Play: Saudis Bought a Star or a Shell?

João Félix’s Al‑Nassr transfer is both his boldest gamble and safest exit door, no doubt. But for a career on the edge of collapse, gambling might be the only path left.

If it fails? He fades into luxury and irrelevance.

If it works? The greatest comeback since De Bruyne, Salah, or Mahrez.

As fans, all we can do is watch, hope, and maybe, just maybe, believe that the João Félix story isn’t over yet. It’s just moving to a new chapter.