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João Félix: Leaving Chelsea was the right choice

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João Félix moved from Chelsea to Al Nassr in July 2025, despite signing a seven-year contract at Chelsea just the year before Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images

Portugal forward João Félix is convinced he made the right decision last summer when leaving Chelsea for Al Nassr.

Felix has been in terrific form, scoring 15 goals and assisting on 12 others in 26 league appearances for the Saudi Pro League leaders.

"My time at Chelsea was lovely, it is a top club," the Portugal international said.

"I felt good there. I just moved because I wanted to play often. I did what I needed to do. The move was positive, I'm happy, I'm enjoying football.

"That's the most important thing. I'm happy at Al Nassr. We are having a fantastic season. I hope to win the league, we are close to that. We have eight games left and we are in first place."

At his former clubs Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, Felix, 26, often played out of position. He struggled as a winger or isolated striker rather than his natural central attacking midfield role.

"I've been playing regularly and getting plenty of minutes," Felix said.

"I'm playing in my natural position -- the one where I stood out at Benfica -- and in a system that suits me very well. I have complete confidence in myself, especially when playing in my position."

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The move to Al Nassr reunited Felix with Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I'd already worked with Cristiano quite a few times with the national team, and he's just the same -- always very professional," he said.

"I'd heard countless stories about manager Jorge Jesus. He's a different kind of manager, a great manager and an excellent person, too.

"I've learned a lot from him; he's helped me a great deal and I can only thank him."

The Al Nassr coach, Jorge Jesus, is also Portuguese.

"Whether you'd say it's a more or less competitive league depends on which leagues you compare it to," Felix said.

"Apart from three or four teams at the bottom of the table, against whom we know victory is almost guaranteed, the other matches are evenly matched.

"There are eight matchdays left until the end of the season and four teams are fighting for the title."

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