Joao Felix Slated as ‘Money-Printing Machine’ Amid Controversial Al-Nassr Transfer

Agent rips into Joao Felix over Al-Nassr move, says Chelsea forward no longer ‘in charge’ of his career

Joao Felix was once heralded as the next golden boy of Portuguese football, a €126 million prodigy destined to leave a mark on Europe’s elite. But now, at just 25, he’s on the verge of joining Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in a £43.7 million (€51m/$56m) move that has left fans and insiders divided—and one high-profile agent absolutely furious.

Felix is expected to fly to Riyadh imminently for a medical before teaming up with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League. But while some might view this as a new chapter alongside a national icon, FIFA-licensed agent Jen Mendelewitsch has delivered a scathing assessment of the deal, branding Felix a “money-printing machine” and accusing him of abandoning his footballing ambitions for the comfort of financial security.

A Brutal Verdict: “He’s Not in Charge of His Career”

Speaking to French outlet RMC Sport, Mendelewitsch didn’t hold back. Her words cut deep into the narrative surrounding Felix’s career choices in recent years.

“Joao Felix hasn’t played football for a long time. He’s a printer. He’s a money-printing machine, and with his own approval, since he doesn’t rebel,” she said.
“He should have been in charge of his career a long time ago, not allowing people to decide for him and send him to projects he doesn’t like.”

It was a damning indictment of a player whose journey has gone from record-breaking wonderkid at Benfica to expensive, wandering loanee unable to find a permanent home in Europe’s top tiers.

Mendelewitsch highlighted how Felix had repeatedly struggled to plant roots—whether it was at Atletico Madrid, where he never quite fit Diego Simeone’s tactical demands, or at Chelsea and Barcelona, where short-term stints brought only flashes of brilliance.

“Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Milan—he tried to relaunch himself at Barcelona. He had a good time with Xavi,” she added.
“These are attractive clubs for him to recover. But it’s everyone’s fault really. The player indulged in projects he didn’t like. When you know his potential, it’s sad.”

Felix’s Path: From Prodigy to Mercenary?

Joao Felix Cristiano Ronaldo Nassr

Once considered one of Europe’s most exciting forwards, Felix now finds himself taking a route that has increasingly become popular for high-profile players looking for both playing time and a financial windfall. But unlike veterans at the tail end of their careers, Felix’s move to Saudi Arabia feels premature—and, to some, like a surrender.

The Chelsea forward—still under contract at Atletico Madrid—was heavily linked with a return to Benfica, a move that could have offered emotional and tactical rebirth in familiar surroundings. But according to Mendelewitsch, the idea of going home was never seriously considered due to the financial gulf between Benfica’s offer and what Saudi Arabia could bring to the table.

“There were rumours that he would return to Benfica. It would have made a little more sense,” she said.
“But I think he didn’t want to make that financial sacrifice. Some people talk about football mercenaries, others talk about victims of the business. In either case, he’s the perfect example of the traps many talented young players can fall into.”

The Saudi Gamble: A Shot at Redemption or a Road to Nowhere?

The irony isn’t lost here. Felix will now link up with Cristiano Ronaldo—a player whose career has been shaped by both elite-level success and carefully calculated business moves. For Felix, the presence of CR7 might be a draw, perhaps even a source of mentorship and inspiration. But it’s still a far cry from what fans envisioned when he broke onto the scene with such dazzling potential.

There is, of course, a more charitable view of Felix’s move. Perhaps he sees Saudi Arabia as a fresh slate, away from the suffocating expectations of Europe’s super clubs. Maybe, in a league that’s rapidly growing in both talent and profile, he’ll find the rhythm and confidence that have been missing since his early Benfica days. After all, several stars—including Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane—have taken the plunge into the Saudi project, albeit later in their careers.

But Felix isn’t 33 or 35—he’s 25. And that’s what stings for many observers. His best footballing years should be ahead of him, and yet he’s chosen to pause his European journey for something altogether different.

Chelsea’s Perspective: One Less Headache

From Chelsea’s point of view, the move brings some relief. The club has been actively trimming its bloated squad after heavy investment in recent seasons, and Felix—never quite a consistent performer at Stamford Bridge—is another name off the books.

Though he only played 20 times in all competitions for Chelsea during his short loan spell, there were glimpses of what made him such a coveted talent. But glimpses weren’t enough for the London club to pursue a permanent deal, and with UEFA’s squad registration rules looming large, Chelsea’s willingness to cash in is understandable.

What Comes Next for Joao Felix?

Felix will complete his medical in the Saudi capital and, barring a late twist, will sign for Al-Nassr. There, he’ll be expected to immediately contribute in attack, playing alongside Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in one of the most star-studded front lines outside Europe.

Whether the Saudi move is a detour or a destination will depend on Felix himself. He’s got the talent. He’s got the stage. But he now also carries the burden of proving critics wrong—those who believe he’s chosen comfort over challenge, paychecks over purpose.

For now, the pressure is off in some ways. He’ll be free from European spotlight, able to focus on his football. But the real question is whether the fire still burns bright enough for a comeback—or if Joao Felix has made peace with being more brand than baller.

Either way, this chapter will shape how his story is told for years to come.