João Félix still dreams of returning to FC Barcelona, but Al-Nassr does not intend to facilitate his departure. According to information from Sportthe new president of the Saudi club, Ahmed Al Sultan, appointed Tuesday to replace Abdullah Al Majed, wishes to activate a clause allowing the Portuguese international’s contract to be automatically extended for two additional seasons. While the striker arrives in the last year of his guaranteed commitment, his entourage has already started to prepare a possible return to Catalonia. But the intentions of the new management are very different. Al Sultan would like to keep Felix in the long term and make him the new figurehead of Al-Nassr when Cristiano Ronaldo gradually leaves the spotlight. A decision which could compromise the player’s ambitions to quickly return to European football.
Already with Barça during the 2023-2024 season, as part of a loan from Atlético de Madrid, João Félix played 44 matches, scored 10 goals and delivered 6 assists. Despite irregular performances, the Portuguese had excellent memories of his time in Catalonia and never hid his attachment to the club. For its part, Barcelona would consider its return only as part of a market opportunity, without making it a priority for the summer of 2027. The Catalan offensive sector already has many solutions, notably with Fermín and Dani Olmo in Félix’s preferred register, as well as Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon on the wings. In this context, the activation of this clause by Al-Nassr could considerably reduce the chances of seeing the former Atlético player again in the Blaugrana jersey next season.
