Cristiano Ronaldo's 'chosen heir' failed to live up to hype after being tipped for greatness by Man Utd legend

Al Nassr's imminent new signing is already familiar to the Saudi Pro League club's star player.

Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Riyadh side in 2023 and signed a new contract this summer to end speculation about a surprise appearance at the Club World Cup.

He is set to be joined by a fellow Portugal international whose career path up to this point has had to be seen to be believed.

In 2019, Atletico Madrid paid Lisbon giants Benfica a reported fee in the region of £113 million for 19-year-old Joao Felix.

Felix, now 25, played nearly 100 league matches under Atleti head coach Diego Simeone but was loaned to both Chelsea and Barcelona in 2023.

The winger joined Chelsea on a permanent basis in 2024 and made a meagre contribution for the Blues' £42 million outlay.

At least, his contribution on the pitch was meagre. It shouldn't be ignored that Conor Gallagher went the other way at the same time for a slightly lower fee, indicating that Felix's destiny might have been tied up with the financial regulations with which Premier League clubs and participants in UEFA competitions must now comply.

After just 12 Premier League appearances, the Portuguese international was shipped out on loan to AC Milan for the second half of last season.

Once regarded as one of world football's most exciting young players, Felix has played without distinction for some of Europe's biggest clubs.

With Al Nassr ready to complete his signing from Chelsea for a reported fee of £43.7 million, a reunion with Portugal's captain isn't far away.

Joao Felix was sent out on loan to AC Milan during the January transfer window (Image: Getty)

Ronaldo is an admirer of his compatriot.

Before he joined Atletico Madrid, Felix was linked with a switch from Benfica to Juventus and an attacking alliance with Ronaldo, a prospect believed to have excited the international skipper.

But Ronaldo remained positive even after the £113m teenager landed in Madrid instead of joining him in Turin.

"Do I think Félix can repeat my success in Spain? I very much believe it. He's an excellent player with a lot of potential and a lot to develop," Ronaldo told TV1.

Ronaldo holds great sway at Al Nassr, one of the Saudi Pro League clubs majority-owned by the state Public Investment Fund.

Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus was appointed after leaving Al Hilal this summer and will be tasked with returning Al Nassr to the top of the pile and earn Ronaldo his first Saudi title.