Cristiano Ronaldo defends João Félix and criticizes the Portuguese league: “Saudi Arabia was the best option”
Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly defended João Félix’s transfer to Saudi Arabia, calling it a smart and strategic move while questioning the competitiveness of the Portuguese league.
Speaking to the press after Al-Nassr’s match against Rio Ave, Ronaldo praised Félix’s talent and expressed confidence that the 24-year-old will make a significant impact in the Saudi Pro League. “He’s a player everyone knows. He has the quality to contribute a lot to Al-Nassr,” Ronaldo said.
The Portuguese star dismissed criticism of the Saudi competition, stressing that many underestimate its intensity. “People who don’t follow the league closely don’t understand the pace and competitiveness here,” he explained, adding that Félix’s decision to join Saudi football was “better than playing in the Portuguese league.”
Ronaldo also highlighted the growing number of international stars in Saudi Arabia as a key factor elevating the league’s standard. “If you look at the names here, you’ll see the competition is full of top players, which helps everyone improve,” he noted.
🇵🇹🎙️CR7 sobre João Félix ir para a Arábia: “Melhor que ir pra liga portuguesa.”
— Central do Arabão (@centraldoarabao) August 7, 2025
While acknowledging that Félix will miss out on Champions League football, Ronaldo insisted the move was “wise” and could benefit the forward’s career in the long term.
