In a fiery outburst that has set social media ablaze, football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has unleashed a scathing attack on critics questioning Joao Felix’s blockbuster move to Al-Nassr. The Portuguese superstar didn’t hold back, branding detractors as “complete idiots” who “understand nothing about football” after a popular podcast dared to challenge the young star’s decision to swap Europe for Saudi Arabia.
Felix, the 25-year-old former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid standout, joined Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in a stunning £26million deal—potentially rising to £43m—marking a bold new chapter in his career. The move raised eyebrows across the footballing world, with many questioning why a player in his prime would leave the European stage. However, Felix’s turbulent journey in Europe, including a loan stint at Chelsea in 2023 and a mere three Premier League starts under Enzo Maresca last season, set the stage for his high-profile exit to the Saudi Pro League.
The controversy erupted when Chuveirinho, a prominent Portuguese podcast, aired a segment scrutinizing Felix’s decision to join Al-Nassr at such a young age. The critique caught Ronaldo’s attention, and the 40-year-old legend wasted no time clapping back. In a now-deleted Instagram post, Ronaldo fired off a stinging rebuke: “Idiots don’t understand anything about football, yet they still give their opinions,” punctuated with three crying emojis for extra flair.
The podcast, clearly rattled by the superstar’s response, later took to social media to question whether they “deserved” the call-out, pointing out their history of praising Ronaldo. But the damage was done, and the football world was left buzzing over CR7’s unrelenting defense of his compatriot and his new club.
Felix, for his part, has already begun silencing doubters with his performances in Saudi Arabia. The dynamic forward made an explosive start, netting a hat-trick on his Al-Nassr debut and adding an assist across his first five matches. His decision to join the Saudi giants was heavily influenced by Ronaldo, who personally championed the move. “You can see he’s building something here and doing his part in developing the project,” Felix said of Ronaldo’s role at Al-Nassr. “He was one of the first to talk to me about coming here, and when he did, I felt a wonderful moment and a beautiful feeling. That helped convince me.”
Ronaldo’s influence at Al-Nassr extends far beyond the pitch. Since his controversial departure from Manchester United, the former Real Madrid star has been a transformative force for the club, scoring an astonishing 95 goals in 109 appearances. His commitment to the Saudi project was cemented in June when he inked a jaw-dropping two-year contract worth £492m, quashing speculation about a potential return to Europe. Off the field, Ronaldo’s recent engagement to long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez has only added to his larger-than-life aura.
As Al-Nassr continues to build its global profile, Ronaldo’s fierce loyalty to both his club and his teammate underscores his determination to prove the doubters wrong. For Felix, the move to Saudi Arabia represents not just a fresh start but a chance to thrive under the mentorship of one of football’s greatest-ever players. And with Ronaldo in his corner, ready to torch critics with the same ferocity he brings to the pitch, it’s clear that this Portuguese duo is just getting started.