Joao Felix left Chelsea for Al-Nassr in 2025 after failing to live up to the heights
An individual, dressed in a navy blue jacket with the number 14 prominently displayed on the front, is seen standing and looking directly ahead. The backdrop behind them features a combination of red and blue colors, with a circular emblem partially visible in the right corner. The individual's attire includes a hood, which is pulled up, and they appear to be wearing earphones.
Joao Felix during his disappointing spell with Chelsea.(Image: Getty Images)
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Former Chelsea playmaker Joao Felix has outlined his intentions to return to Europe after just one year in the Saudi Pro League. The 26-year-old made the lucrative move to the Middle East in 2025, joining Al Nassr.
The highly-rated creative player made the move for a fee rising up to £43.7m, with an initial £26.2m fee and £17.5m in add-ons. But he managed just 11 goals in two spells for the Blues, adding just two assists.
Felix spent the second half of the 2025 season on loan in Serie A with AC Milan where his struggles continued - scoring just three goals in 21 appearances. He was on target for Portugal during their 2-1 win over Norway in the Nations League on Sunday and has set his sights on a return to Europe.
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He said: “I'm very happy at Al Nassr. This will be my second year. I'll be 27 at the end of the season. I'm planning to return to Europe, though perhaps not immediately.
“I don't know if it will be at the end of this season or the end of next, but I'm eager to return to Europe, to play in the Champions League again, and to compete there again.
“It's always different. Playing in Europe, playing in the Champions League, playing against the best teams in the world gives you extra motivation, and obviously, that's what I'm thinking about.”
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Felix has found his form in the Saudi Pro League scoring 20 goals in 33 appearances as Cristiano Ronaldo finally got his hands on silverware for Al Nassr. He contributed 13 assists in a phenomenal individual season, winning the league by just two points.
Speaking last year, he said: "My time at Chelsea was lovely, it is a top club.
"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.
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"I've been playing regularly and getting plenty of minutes 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."