After months of speculation and relative success around Europe, João Félix is back in the headlines for what appears to be a dramatic and permanent move to Saudi Arabia. On 28 July 2025, Al Nassr and Chelsea made all documents official for the transfer of the Portuguese forward. With his medical completed, the 25-year-old striker Félix is set to sign a two-year deal until June 2027, as the latest of many European stars to join the Saudi Pro League revolution.
Let us look at the five biggest reasons why João Félix decided to join Al Nassr and what it means for his career.
1. Big Money Deal
It is no secret, and the numbers are huge. According to multiple reports, the first transfer fee is €30 million, with performance-based add-ons taking it to €50 million, which is what Chelsea valued him at. As for the player, Félix will reportedly earn £420K per week, or around £22 million per year, making him one of the top earners in the league.
Chelsea negotiated a heavy sell-on clause too, meaning they will benefit from any future resale. For a player who, as we know, struggled to find a consistent position in London, it was a smart move by all parties.
2. A Portuguese Reunion: Cristiano Ronaldo & More
Needless to say, one of the most thrilling parts of the transfer? Cristiano Ronaldo. According to sources, Félix was relishing the idea of playing alongside Portugal’s all-time icon. They not only have that team history, but they also have a healthy respect for each other.
But it doesn’t stop with Ronaldo. Al Nassr feels as if it is a small Portuguese enclave now. With manager Jorge Jesus, midfielder Otávio, and club associates Simão Coutinho and José Semedo, they have established a very Portuguese atmosphere. That was a big factor in Félix feeling settled before he arrived.
3. No Breakthrough at Chelsea
The UEFA Nations League winner João Félix’s stint at Chelsea never really took off. After signing permanently with Chelsea, reportedly paying €52 million in August 2024, he only made 12 Premier League appearances, scored once, and moved out on loan to AC Milan in January 2025.
With Milan, he produced glimpses of magic but never found his top form, ending the Serie A season with just 3 goals in 15 appearances. With Chelsea in the middle of completing a significant squad overhaul and continuing their attempts to identify young players like Xavi Simons, it was pretty apparent that the Portuguese forward had moved out of their plans. The Al Nassr platform will give him the regular minutes he has been
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4. A Fresh Challenge in the Saudi Pro League
João Félix, at such a young 25, isn’t done yet. While many still think of the Saudi Pro League as a league choice for the ending of careers, now there is a possible forward-thinking approach of re-establishing itself as a competitive environment. Al Nassr, the 2024–25 season runners-up, is making moves and rebuilding itself quickly to become champions again.
With the likes of Marcelo Brozović and Aymeric Laporte joining, and Alex Telles remaining with the club, Al Nassr will give Félix more of a challenge, as well as a leadership position that he has rarely experienced in his European development. It is not typically uncommon to predetermine what the elite or supposed elite will do. In truth, he has been rotated a lot and had loan-outs just to get game time at Chelsea. Enjoyably for Félix, he can be the main man in attacking play.
5. A Long-Term Vision Under Jorge Jesus
The experience of Jorge Jesus offers an element of both familiarity and stability for Félix in that Jesus has a unique understanding of Portuguese footballers. He has coached in tough top league environments, and notably has managed clubs such as Benfica and Flamengo. Jesus is certainly one of the coaches who knows Portuguese talent better than most, at least in that the proximity to the players is much easier than any individual coach in another country must experience when looking to buy a Portuguese player.
João Félix should expect to play in a slightly more central position, perhaps as a second striker, or with extended freedom as a third attacking player or playmaker, as he had basically just been playing elsewhere based on whoever was playing centre forward. It is a tactical choice and to some, that might have generated the player they believed he should or indeed could become, if he looked beyond what his academy choices put on him previously.
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João Félix: Career in Numbers (as of July 2025)
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Notable Achievement |
| Benfica | 26 | 15 | 7 | Primeira Liga Champion |
| Atlético Madrid | 96 | 25 | 12 | La Liga Champion (2020–21) |
| Chelsea (all comps) | 40 | 11 | 2 | No trophies |
| Barcelona (loan) | 30 | 7 | 5 | Supercopa Finalist |
| AC Milan (loan) | 20 | 3 | 1 | Serie A Top-4 Finish |
Final Verdict: Why This Move Makes Sense
For Al Nassr, this is yet another big signing that elevates both their profile and their creative options and coherence in the squad. For Félix, this is a calculated reset, where he can potentially regain his form, confidence and reputation.
Only time will tell the success of this new chapter, but one thing is clear: João Félix is no longer the hope of tomorrow; he must deliver today against Al Nassr.
