Cristiano Ronaldo played a key role in Al-Nassr securing the signing of João Félix, according to Portuguese newspaper Record.
Félix was on his way back to Benfica, and negotiations between the Portuguese club and Chelsea were in advanced stages to complete the deal for €25 million.
At the last minute, Al-Nassr swooped in and clinched the deal for a total of €50 million. According to Record, João Félix initially had reservations about moving to the Knights of Najd, had it not been for Ronaldo’s intervention.
A phone call took place between Ronaldo and João Félix, during which the Portuguese legend explained the Saudi League project and how things were progressing very positively within Al-Nassr under coach Jorge Jesus. He also reassured him that, with him, the team would compete for titles.
Thanks to this call, Félix was convinced to move to Al-Nassr, and the Saudi club offered him a fixed salary of €10 million, while Benfica’s offer was only €3 million.
In the same context, Ronaldo sees the inclusion of Felix as a good opportunity to increase the harmony between the duo in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, especially since they will play approximately 40 to 50 official matches, in addition to approximately 300 training sessions together until June 2026. This should ensure that their understanding is at its highest level before the World Cup.
It’s worth noting that João Félix’s move to Al-Nassr will not hinder his inclusion in the Portuguese national team, as coach Roberto Martínez summons players from the Roshen League without any problems, the most prominent example being Otavio from Al-Nassr.
