João Félix arrives at Al-Nassr and talks about Jorge Jesus: “He likes me a lot”
Portuguese forward João Félix has officially signed with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, leaving behind a potential return to Benfica after accepting a lucrative €35 million two-year contract. The 25-year-old has already joined Jorge Jesus’s squad at their preseason training camp in Austria and is expected to make his debut in upcoming friendly matches.
“I’m very happy to be here. Jorge Jesus really likes me—he’s always made that clear. Now I’ll finally be working with him,” Félix said in his first club-released interview, hinting at a strong relationship with the manager that played a crucial role in his decision.
Al-Nassr shared behind-the-scenes footage of Félix’s arrival, including his landing in Salzburg aboard Cristiano Ronaldo’s private jet. The forward will now train alongside Ronaldo and fellow Portuguese international Otávio as the Saudi Pro League side ramps up preparations for the upcoming season.
The signing concludes a dramatic transfer saga. Félix had been on the verge of returning to Benfica, the club that developed him, reportedly agreeing to a salary of €3 million per season. However, Al-Nassr’s offer—more than five times that amount—shifted the course of negotiations.
The opportunity to reunite with Jorge Jesus and play alongside Ronaldo again proved decisive for Félix, who has experienced inconsistent spells at top European clubs including Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, and AC Milan.
Now in the Saudi League, Félix aims to revive his form and confidence in a new environment. He has previously partnered with Ronaldo 39 times for the Portuguese national team and hopes to rekindle that chemistry in Riyadh.
Félix’s move marks another major step in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing effort to attract European talent and bolster its football profile on the global stage.
With our CEO and Sports Director 💛
João Félix signs his contract with #AlNassr ✍️
and sends a special message to all AlNassr fans 🤩 pic.twitter.com/7SK4qHNpkU— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) July 29, 2025
