This week, the Saudi Pro League completed yet another headline-making transfer of a global star. Joao Felix left Chelsea to join Al Nassr, where he will play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, and he opened up about what this opportunity means to him.
“I’m very happy to be here, to join this club, to join amazing players. I’m excited to start,” said Felix during a brief interview shared by Al Nassr on their official social media accounts, which also showed the first footage of the forward arriving in Austria to begin training with his new teammates.
Al Nassr have been in Europe for the past week as part of the first phase of their preseason training. During this time, they’re also playing friendly matches to build match fitness and adapt to the playing style of their new head coach.
Joao Felix also addressed Jorge Jesus in that same interview. “I spoke with him a few times,” said the forward about his fellow countryman. “Finally I’m gonna work with him, I’m excited to learn with him and I’m gonna help him in whatever I can.”
Felix also acknowledged that in his conversations with his new coach, Jesus was extremely complimentary—something that clearly played a role in tipping the scales in favor of this move to Al Nassr. “I know that he likes me a lot, he always said that to me and to other players that I share the dressing room (with) in the national team,” Joao said.
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Joao Felix has been teammates with Cristiano Ronaldo on the Portugal national team for the past six years. The young forward made his debut in 2019, when CR7 was already the undisputed leader of the squad, and they have since played together in the FIFA World Cup 2022, as well as Euro 2021 and Euro 2024.
Although Felix joined the Portugal national team at a young age and has remained part of the squad over the years, his role has gradually diminished. His performances at the club level—particularly with Chelsea and AC Milan—have caused him to fall down the pecking order under coach Roberto Martinez. This new chapter alongside Ronaldo at Al Nassr could help him regain some of the ground he’s lost.
When could Joao Felix make his Al Nassr debut?
Al Nassr will play their second preseason friendly this Wednesday against Toulouse at the Untersberg-Arena in Grodig, Austria. With just 24 hours of training with the team, it’s unlikely Joao Felix will see action in that match. However, there will be more opportunities soon.
On Saturday, August 2, Jorge Jesus’ team will face Sheffield United, who compete in the English Championship. Eight days later, they will play another friendly against Almeria in Spain. All of these matches serve as preparation for the start of the official season, which kicks off on August 18 against Al Ittihad in the semifinals of the Saudi Super Cup.
