‎Joao Felix Transfer to Al-Nassr Sparks Backlash as Agent Calls Him 'Money-Printing Machine'

‎Joao Felix's impending move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr has triggered a wave of backlash, most notably from FIFA-licensed agent Jen Mendelewitsch, who offered a scathing critique of the Portuguese international’s career choices. As the former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid forward prepares to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo in a £43.7 million (€51m/$56m) transfer, questions around his motivation and long-term aspirations are once again in the spotlight.

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‎Joao Felix’s £43.7m Al-Nassr move sparks backlash as agent criticizes him for chasing money over ambition and losing control of his career path.

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‎Speaking to RMC Sport, Mendelewitsch labeled Felix a “money-printing machine,” accusing him of failing to assert control over his own career trajectory. Her remarks paint a troubling picture of a player she believes has become more of a commodity than a competitor. According to her, Felix has consistently chosen financial security over footballing growth—an approach she warns is a cautionary tale for young players navigating high-stakes professional pathways.

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‎The agent's comments highlighted not only Felix’s lucrative transfer to Al-Nassr, but a broader trend of missed opportunities. She pointed to his stints at top European clubs like Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, and AC Milan, where moments of brilliance were often overshadowed by inconsistency and abrupt exits. Even a brief resurgence under Xavi at Barcelona failed to translate into a permanent stay or lasting impact.

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‎Mendelewitsch’s critique extended to the support system around Felix, suggesting he has long been guided by decisions that did not align with his personal or professional best interests. Her remarks suggest a disconnect between his immense potential and the realities of his career choices—a trajectory defined more by short-term moves than long-term planning.

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‎Interest from Benfica had reportedly surfaced earlier this summer, but a return to his roots never materialized. Mendelewitsch argued that a homecoming might have provided both emotional and sporting rehabilitation. Instead, Felix opted for a financially superior offer in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing the agent's narrative of a player entrapped by modern football’s commercial machinery.

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‎Felix's journey began with a record-breaking €126 million transfer to Atletico Madrid in 2019, a move that promised to redefine the club's attacking future. Since then, his career has been marked by a series of high-profile but ultimately underwhelming loans, with each stint offering fewer answers about his true potential. At just 25, the decision to leave European football—arguably in his prime—adds complexity to a career that once brimmed with promise.

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‎Chelsea’s willingness to sell Felix is seen as part of their broader strategy to streamline their squad and ease Financial Fair Play constraints after another summer of aggressive spending. The deal provides much-needed relief to the London club, yet also underscores how far Felix's stock has fallen since his emergence as one of Europe’s brightest young stars.

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‎His arrival in Riyadh pairs him with Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo, a move that could offer mentorship and a renewed sense of purpose. Felix has long admired Ronaldo, and their partnership could rekindle his ambition—if the environment allows. However, stepping away from Europe’s elite leagues raises doubts about whether this marks a strategic shift or merely a lucrative detour.