Al Nassr have reportedly completed the signing of Joao Felix from Chelsea, marking the club’s first major move as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2024–25 season. With only the official announcement pending, reports suggest Cristiano Ronaldo played a key role in convincing his Portugal teammate to join him in Saudi Arabia.
After bursting onto the European scene at a young age, Joao Felix became Benfica’s record sale with a €127 million move to Atletico Madrid. But since then, he has struggled to find consistency. Following loan spells at Chelsea, Barcelona, and AC Milan, Felix appeared ready to return to Benfica — until Al Nassr, and more specifically Cristiano Ronaldo, entered the picture.
According to Fabrizio Romano via DAZN, Ronaldo personally called Felix to persuade him to join Al Nassr. Chelsea, who still held Felix’s contract rights, were in advanced talks with Benfica and close to finalizing the deal. But Ronaldo’s intervention proved decisive, with the call from the Portuguese legend reportedly tipping the balance in Al Nassr’s favor.
Head coach Jorge Jesus has admitted a similar story regarding his own arrival at Al Nassr, crediting Ronaldo with playing a crucial role in convincing him to sign. The former Al Hilal boss had previously tried to bring Felix to his former club, and now he’ll finally get the chance to work with the forward. Felix has already completed his first training session in Austria and met with Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s growing influence at the club continues to shape Al Nassr’s future. He’s already been linked to key decisions, such as the hiring of close friend José Semedo as the new CEO and the appointment of Jorge Jesus as head coach. The signing of Felix only further underscores Ronaldo’s pull and ambition to lead Al Nassr to their first official trophy since his arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Joao Felix signs lucrative contract with Al Nassr
As Benfica struggled to meet Chelsea’s financial demands for Felix — who originally cost the Blues €52 million — Al Nassr moved quickly to close the deal in under 48 hours. Chelsea will reportedly receive €30 million upfront, with an additional €20 million in potential add-ons, allowing them to nearly recoup their total investment.
Felix, meanwhile, lands a lucrative two-year deal. According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, he is set to earn up to €70 million during his time in Saudi Arabia — €35 million per season. With a starring role in Jorge Jesus’ system and an eye on the 2026 World Cup, Felix will enjoy one of the most lucrative contracts in world soccer in the meantime.