João Félix never stops relaunching a story that we thought was being written far from the European summits. After scoring against Wales last Thursday, the Portuguese striker did it again on Sunday evening in Oslo against Norway (2-1), opening the score with a perfect cross strike in the 16th minute. Two matches, two goals, the former Benfica player finally immediately established himself as one of the strong men of Jorge Jesus, new coach of the Seleção. Starting and present for 90 minutes in Norway, Félix also showed greater defensive involvement than at certain periods of his career.
A key repositioning
A development which is not unrelated to his change of role. Used as a second attacker, in a central position behind Gonçalo Ramos, the native of Viseu also recognized that this repositioning corresponded more to his qualities. “Playing as a second striker favors me, it’s not as a left winger or on the line”he explained after the victory against Erling Haaland’s gang. An international renaissance which finds part of its explanation in Al-Nassr, where João Félix found a continuity that he had difficulty obtaining during his last European experiences.
Arriving in Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2025 from Chelsea, he found Jorge Jesus there, but also Cristiano Ronaldo, and above all an environment in which he was able to evolve regularly in a position close to that which was his at Benfica. As of March 2026, he explained as follows: “I know what I’m worth and I play my position. It is in this position that I stood out at Benfica and I have confidence in myself mainly when I play in my position”. At this time, he already had 15 goals and 11 assists with Al-Nassr, or one goal per match. And his 2025-2026 season finally confirmed this impression of return to the forefront.
A return to Europe and FC Barcelona in the sights
João Félix finished the exercise with 26 goals and 19 assists in 47 appearances, directly participating in Al-Nassr’s title. At 26, the Portuguese, who played for Atlético de Madrid and AC Milan, seems to be returning to his best level, even admitting to feeling “much more playful” only at 20 or 21 years old. “As a player, I feel better. I understand the game better, the different phases of a match”specified, in this respect, the Golden Boy 2019. However, this Saudi success does not mean that João Félix wishes to settle there permanently. More fulfilled than ever, Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate – who is going through a much more difficult period – notably confided that he always kept a return to Europe in the back of his mind.
“I will be 27 at the end of the season. I plan to return to Europe, although it may not be right away. I don’t know if it will be at the end of this season or the end of the next, but I’m really looking forward to coming back to Europe, playing in the Champions League again and getting back to the level there.noted the principal concerned in an interview given to A.S.. And the one whose lease ends next June has further ideas. As the newspaper reveals SportJoão Félix dreams of returning to FC Barcelona. In Catalonia, he left an honorable memory without breaking the screen with 10 goals and 7 assists in 44 matches during the 2023/2024 season while he was on loan from Atlético de Madrid.
His agent Jorge Mendes has already communicated to FC Barcelona the desire for João Félix who would represent an interesting market opportunity like João Cancelo who had a loan with the Catalan club before returning there a few seasons later after an experience in Saudi Arabia. Not a priority for FC Barcelona currently, he nevertheless remains an option to watch for next season. In the meantime, against Denmark (match to follow Thursday evening from 8:45 p.m.) João Félix will have a new opportunity to extend this dynamic. It remains to be seen whether this will take him to the European summits that he covets again.
