Portugal forward João Félix has joined Saudi club Al Nassr, linking up with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo in a move that adds to his career transfer total of approximately $260 million.
Al Nassr confirmed the signing on Tuesday, announcing that Félix has penned a two-year contract after a reported €30 million ($34.6 million) deal with Chelsea. “I’m here to spread joy. Let’s win together,” Félix said in a promotional video released by the club on social media.
The 25-year-old becomes the latest high-profile European player to make the switch to Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom continues its ambitious efforts to establish itself as a powerhouse in world football. Félix arrives from Chelsea, fresh off a string of high-profile but ultimately underwhelming spells at major clubs.
Despite holding the record as the fourth most expensive footballer in history—following his $140 million move from Benfica to Atletico Madrid in 2019—Félix has struggled to fulfill his early promise. Loan stints at Chelsea, Barcelona, and most recently AC Milan have failed to solidify his status among the game’s elite.
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According to Transfermarkt, Félix ranks behind only Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and the duo of Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé in all-time transfer spending. However, his market value has dropped significantly, with Chelsea acquiring him for $60 million last year and now his latest fee nearly halved again for the move to Al Nassr.
While Saudi Arabia has revived the careers of some European stars—Cristiano Ronaldo and Aleksandar Mitrović among them—others like Neymar and Jordan Henderson faced injury setbacks or short-lived stints. It remains to be seen whether Félix can reestablish himself with this new chapter.
Al Nassr, which stunned the football world by signing Ronaldo in late 2022, is still seeking a league title since the Portuguese icon’s arrival. Despite Ronaldo's prolific goal-scoring and influence in elevating the Saudi Pro League’s global profile, the club has watched rivals Al Ittihad and Al Hilal claim top honors in successive seasons.
With the addition of João Félix, Al Nassr hopes to finally break through and reclaim domestic dominance.
Source: Agency