REVEALED: How Cristiano Ronaldo Convinced Joao Felix to Leave Chelsea and Join Al-Nassr for a World Cup Dream

Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence stretches far beyond the pitch—and his latest persuasive power has played a major role in shaping the future of Joao Felix. The 25-year-old Portugal international is on the verge of completing a £26 million ($35m) move from Atletico Madrid to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, and sources close to the situation say Ronaldo was instrumental in making it happen.

According to Foot Mercato, Ronaldo personally stepped in to address any doubts Felix had about making the switch to Saudi Arabia. And his message was clear: think beyond club football—think Portugal.

Ronaldo’s argument? By playing together regularly at Al-Nassr, Felix and Ronaldo would be able to build stronger chemistry ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The two players could share the pitch for 40–50 matches in a season, giving them far more time to understand each other’s movements and style than the limited time national teams typically get.

The report suggests that this idea of developing on-field chemistry with the national team captain was “decisive” in swaying Felix’s decision. Ronaldo, now 40, made the case that this connection could even influence Portugal manager Roberto Martinez’s final squad decisions for the World Cup in North America.

Felix had a turbulent time at Chelsea during his brief loan stint, struggling to cement a regular place in the starting XI following a £45 million ($60.5m) move from Atletico Madrid in 2024. A second loan spell at AC Milan in the latter half of last season offered more stability, but his future remained uncertain.

Al-Nassr’s offer appears to have provided the clarity Felix needed—both financially and professionally. The former Benfica and Barcelona man is set to sign a two-year deal with the Saudi outfit, earning an annual salary of €10 million. He is expected to join the club for pre-season training in Austria in the coming days.

The move also signals the growing power of the Saudi Pro League in attracting high-profile European talent, particularly through the influence of players like Ronaldo. The league has already landed stars like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Riyad Mahrez in recent windows, but this deal shows a more strategic side to the transfers.

This isn’t just about big names joining for big money—there’s now a clear national team angle too. Ronaldo’s pitch wasn’t just about club glory; it was about playing the long game for Portugal’s success on the world stage.

Felix, still in his mid-20s, has plenty of football ahead of him. And if Ronaldo’s plan works, the pair could be leading the line for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup with a shared understanding honed far away from Europe’s traditional footballing stages.