Joao Félix has stated his intention to leave Al Nassr and return to European football when his contract expires, prompting discussions across social media regarding his career trajectory and past stints with elite clubs. The Portuguese forward, currently playing in Saudi Arabia after joining from Chelsea in July 2025, discussed his future plans in a September 2026 interview with the Madrid-based sports newspaper Diario AS.
“I am very happy at Al Nassr. This will be my second year. At the end of the season I will be 27 and I have it in mind to return to Europe, though perhaps not immediately,” Joao Félix told Diario AS. “I don’t know if it will be at the end of this season or the end of the next, but I want to return to Europe, play again in the Champions League and compete there. Facing the best teams in the world gives you extra motivation, and obviously I have it in my head.”
Contract Timeline and Market Valuation
The forward’s current agreement with Al Nassr runs until June 2027. According to Transfermarkt metrics cited by football reporting outlets, his market valuation stands at approximately 28,00 million of euros, following a career path that took him from Benfica to Atlético de Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, AC Milan, and finally the Saudi Pro League.
During his time in Riyadh, Joao Félix has recorded significant productivity metrics, contributing 30 goals and 22 assists for Al Nassr while consolidating his position within the Portugal national team, where he maintains a record of 58 international appearances and 13 goals.
Reflections on the Metropolitano and the Atleti Record Transfer
The forward’s remarks about returning to European competition quickly generated debate among supporters, particularly regarding his turbulent history with Atlético de Madrid. In 2019, Atlético paid Benfica 126 million euros to secure his signature, the most expensive signing in the history of Atlético de Madrid. Across 131 appearances in red and white, he scored 34 goals, provided 18 assists, and contributed to their 2021 La Liga championship campaign under manager Diego Simeone.
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Despite the league title, his tenure in Madrid was marked by inconsistent form, leading to successive loan spells at Chelsea and Barcelona before permanent transfers altered his trajectory. Speaking to Diario AS, the player insisted he holds no resentment toward his former club or management.
“I don’t regret my time at Atlético. I lived very nice and important moments there. It helped me mature. I don’t regret at all my arrival in Madrid at such a young age,” Joao Félix stated. “As I have always said, I never stopped trying to do the best for myself and for the team. I tried to help whenever I could. Like everything in life, a player goes through ups and downs, although of course I would have liked to have had more positive moments than I had at Atlético.”
Preference for Barcelona and European Suitors
Addressing his future destination, Joao Félix reiterated his affinity for FC Barcelona, where he spent a loan spell that fulfilled a childhood ambition shared by his family. “Playing in Barcelona made me very happy… I am very happy to have worn the Barça shirt, which was a childhood dream of mine, my father, and my brother,” he noted.
While acknowledging that clubs like Real Madrid and Atlético remain prominent globally, the Portuguese international emphasized his continued connection to the Catalan club. In parallel, European media reports have linked several continental sides to his contractual situation, including Manchester United—which previously explored valuation figures near 60 million of euros—alongside Manchester City and Inter Milan, all monitoring whether Al Nassr will entertain formal offers when negotiations open ahead of the 2027 summer window.
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