Joao Felix: Pressing the self-destruct button on his career when joining Saudi Arabian football?

(NLDO) - Joao Felix is facing a major turning point in his career when he moves to Saudi Arabia to play football.

Joao Felix was once the pride of Benfica and Portuguese football. At the age of 19, he became the most expensive teenager in the world when he joined Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a record transfer fee of 126 million euros.

His technical, creative playing style and flexible finishing ability remind many people of his compatriot Ricardo Quaresma, and even Cristiano Ronaldo in the early years of his career.

Joao Felix joined Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a record fee

However, his journey at Atletico Madrid was not a dream. Under the austere football philosophy of coach Diego Simeone, Felix was often placed in a position that was not his forte or lost his starting position because his free-flowing style of play did not suit his tactics. In 2023, he was loaned to Chelsea but did not leave much of an impression in the Premier League.

Joao Felix had a good period of playing at Barcelona

After that, Felix went through a period of temporary stability at Barcelona in the 2023-2024 season, before being officially recruited by Chelsea with a long-term contract in August 2024. It seemed like this would be a new beginning for the star born in 1999, but everything quickly fell apart.

Chelsea changed coaches, the new style of play was not suitable, causing Felix to continue to be "out of favor". In the early 2025 transfer window, he was sent to AC Milan on loan and scored in his debut match in the Coppa Italia. However, Felix's unstable performance caused Milan to refuse to buy him after the season as agreed with Chelsea.

Joao Felix (79) in AC Milan shirt

Former club Benfica wanted to help Felix's career, hoping to create conditions for him to shine again in a less stressful environment. However, with a tight budget compared to big clubs in Europe, Benfica could not meet Chelsea's terms. The English club seems to still hold a "grudge" for being forced to spend up to 120 million euros on the contract Enzo Fernández signed with... Benfica in 2022!

Chelsea no longer have plans for Joao Felix

Benfica could only pay 25 million euros, less than half of the price Chelsea had offered Al-Nassr, and were forced to withdraw from the race as soon as the Saudi Arabian club made an offer to buy Joao Feliz. At Al-Nassr, Felix will reunite with his senior Cristiano Ronaldo and another compatriot, Otavio, with an attractive salary that has never been seen in his career.

The prospect of Felix leaving Europe at the age of 26 is becoming a reality. This could be a chance for him to reinvent himself in a less pressurised environment. But it is also a sign that the journey to the top of the young talent is gradually coming to an end.

Joao Felix waits to reunite with senior Ronaldo at Al-Nassr

There is no denying Joao Felix's technical ability, but his repeated failure to adapt to different tactical systems shows that he lacks consistency and adaptability - key factors for success at the highest level.

Joao Felix has more luck with the national team than the clubs he plays for.

If he arrives at Al-Nassr as expected, Joao Felix will become one of the next big stars to choose the Saudi Pro League as a destination.

However, for a talent once considered the "jewel" of Portuguese football, this is an ending that many people regret. Is this a new chapter with hope of revival, or will it be a quiet end to a troubled career?

Source: https://nld.com.vn/joao-felix-bam-nut-tu-huy-su-nghiep-khi-gia-nhap-bong-da-a-rap-saudi-196250729093729417.htm