Cristiano Ronaldo has leapt to the defense of fellow Portuguese star Joao Felix following a wave of criticism over his high-profile switch to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. After being called out by former teammates and pundits alike, Felix found an unexpected but strong ally in Ronaldo, who dismissed the backlash with a blunt social media response.
Ronaldo Backs Felix Against Saudi Switch Critics
Joao Felix’s decision to leave European football at just 25 and sign with Al-Nassr raised eyebrows across the footballing world. Once a marquee talent at Benfica and a £111 million signing for Atletico Madrid, Felix’s career trajectory has been under scrutiny, especially following a loan spell at Chelsea that didn’t live up to expectations.
On a recent Portuguese podcast, Chuveirinho, the forward was criticized for abandoning top-tier European competition so early in his career. This triggered a fiery response from Ronaldo, who commented under a clip with laughing emojis, calling the critics “idiots” who “don’t understand anything about football, yet still give their opinions.”
Transfer Backed by Ronaldo and Al-Nassr Leadership
Ronaldo’s support for Felix extends beyond words. Reports over the summer suggested the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had significant influence in Al-Nassr’s transfer decisions as part of his contract terms. Felix, whom Ronaldo personally reached out to, eventually made the £43.7 million move from Chelsea to the Riyadh-based club.
Speaking about Ronaldo’s role in the transfer, Felix said: “He was one of the first to talk to me about coming here. When he spoke to me, it was a beautiful moment that helped convince me. You can see he’s building something here and doing his part in developing the project.”
Mixed Reactions to Felix’s Early Performances
Not everyone has been as supportive of Felix’s move or performances. Former Atletico Madrid teammate Saul Niguez criticized Felix’s attitude and effort levels, stating: “He has all the qualities to be an incredible player, but if you don’t work, it’s not enough… A lot of us tried to help Joao, but if you don’t want it…”
Al-Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus also expressed frustration with Felix after a preseason match against Toulouse, in which the player appeared off-pace. “He’s completely out of it,” Jesus told reporters. “This is only his third training session with us. He needs to prepare better. But I believe in his talent and am confident he’ll return to the player he was at Benfica.”
Felix’s Journey: From Prodigy to Pressure
Felix was once considered the future of Portuguese football, dazzling during his breakout season at Benfica before securing a record-breaking move to Atletico Madrid. However, injuries, inconsistent form, and loan spells have stalled his rise. Now, in a new chapter in Saudi Arabia, the forward has the chance to revive his career — with the backing of one of the game’s greatest players.
