Cristiano Ronaldo’s Unexpected Al Nassr Transfer Sparks Reunion with Portugal Star—What’s Next?

Benfica did everything possible to bring Joao Félix back to Lisbon, but ultimately came up short. The Portuguese international and Chelsea have reached a full agreement with Saudi club Al-Nassr, where Félix will reunite with Portugal national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo and play under manager Jorge Jesus.

Rui Costa and Bruno Lage had made their intentions clear in recent months, hoping to secure the forward’s return. While rumors intensified in recent weeks, that comeback will not happen. As first reported by Flashscore and later confirmed by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Joao Félix has already received the green light to travel to Saudi Arabia.

Al-Nassr met Chelsea’s demands, offering €30 million plus performance-related add-ons. The total transfer fee is expected to reach €50 million—the figure the Blues had set at the beginning of the window.

A new chapter after a turbulent few years

Félix leaves Europe six years after departing Benfica for Atlético Madrid in a blockbuster €126 million move. Despite early promise, the Portuguese star never fully met expectations. At Atleti, he won La Liga but struggled to consistently find form, leading to a series of loans—to Chelsea, Barcelona, and most recently AC Milan.

During his time at Barcelona, Félix showed flashes of brilliance, but consistency continued to elude him. His latest loan to Milan saw him score just three goals in 21 appearances, prompting the Italian club to pass on a permanent transfer.

Chelsea, who had re-signed Félix for €52 million before loaning him to Milan, remained firm on their asking price. Benfica made a push with a €25 million offer, but the Premier League side declined, seeking to recoup their recent investment.

Reuniting with Ronaldo

At Al-Nassr, Félix will now link up with Cristiano Ronaldo—a familiar face and mentor from the Portuguese national team. Their reunion in Riyadh adds even more star power to a squad already packed with talent and ambition.

For Félix, this move marks a major turning point: a fresh start in a new league, under a Portuguese coach, alongside one of the game’s greatest icons. Whether this will reignite his career remains to be seen, but all eyes will be on his Saudi debut in the coming weeks.

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