Joao Felix has accomplished his transfer to Al-Nassr – the most recent switch within the ahead’s globetrotting profession.
Felix has signed a two-year deal to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, with the Saudi Arabian side paying Chelsea an initial €30million.
“I’m right here to unfold pleasure,” Felix mentioned at his presentation. “Let’s win collectively.”
It is one other exceptional piece of enterprise by Felix’s agent Jorge Mendes with the 25-year-old persevering with to indicate no signal of fulfilling the potential he displayed as a young person.
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Teenage kicks: Fabulous Felix had the world at his toes
Having burst on to the scene at Benfica, netting 20 targets in 43 video games in his debut season, Felix was considered essentially the most thrilling younger participant on the planet.
His profile persuaded Atletico Madrid to splash out £113million in 2019 to take him to La Liga – nonetheless the third-highest switch price in historical past.
An uneasy relationship with Atleti boss Diego Simeone – a infamous taskmaster – noticed him wrestle for type and health and he was finally despatched on mortgage to Chelsea in January 2023 for the rest of that season.
A subsequent mortgage change to Barcelona once more noticed him carry out in matches and begins and, though the cash-strapped Catalonian aspect did contemplate making the deal everlasting, they as an alternative plumped for Dani Olmo.
Felix was finally offered by Atleti to Chelsea, with Conor Gallagher transferring in the wrong way in a deal doubtless linked to PSR necessities, with the Portuguese valued at £45m.
He signed a seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge however inside six months was on his travels once more, this time on mortgage to AC Milan.
A return of three targets in 21 video games for the Rossoneri was not sufficient to stay at San Siro and he’ll now start a brand new chapter within the Middle East.
Agent Mendelewitsch crucial of Felix and Mendes’ position in profession
It is one other downward transfer, though FIFA-licensed agent Jen Mendelewitsch has little sympathy and believes agreeing to relocate to Saudi Arabia confirms he’s not involved in changing into an elite footballer.
Mendelewitsch, who was additionally unimpressed with Mendes’ position in Felix’s profession, instructed RMC Sport: “Joao Felix hasn’t performed soccer for a very long time. He’s a printer. He’s a money-printing machine, and together with his personal approval, since he doesn’t insurgent. He ought to have been accountable for his profession a very long time in the past, not permitting folks to determine for him and ship him to initiatives he doesn’t like.
“When his potential, it’s unhappy. But he’s an instance of what to not do if you’re a younger participant with potential.
“We can ask all of the questions attainable. It’s everybody’s fault, actually. In different phrases, the participant determined to take pleasure in initiatives he doesn’t like. I’m attempting to defend him a bit, however Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Milan, he tried to relaunch himself at Barcelona. He had fun with Xavi. What I imply is that these are enticing golf equipment for him to get well.
“Some folks discuss soccer mercenaries, others discuss victims of the enterprise. In both case, he’s the right instance of the traps many gifted younger gamers can fall into. There have been rumours that he would return to Benfica. It would have made just a little extra sense, however I believe he didn’t wish to make that monetary sacrifice.”
