Saúl Ñíguez Critiques João Félix’s Work Ethic After Move to Al Nassr
Former Atlético Madrid midfielder Saúl Ñíguez has publicly criticized his former teammate João Félix, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of commitment and a squandered talent. This commentary follows Félix’s recent move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr after a tumultuous period in European football.
Félix joined Atlético Madrid in 2019 from Benfica for a staggering €127 million (£109.8 million, $149.8 million), making him the fifth most expensive signing in history at that time. Over the course of 131 appearances for Atlético, he struggled to consistently showcase the skills that justified his hefty price tag. In January 2023, he was loaned to Chelsea, and subsequently spent the following season on loan at Barcelona. Despite these opportunities, he failed to secure a permanent position, and Chelsea ultimately opted not to retain him.
In a significant shift, Félix left Europe’s major leagues this summer to join Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. As Saúl reflected on Félix’s career trajectory, he expressed disappointment over his former teammate’s potential not being fully realized. Speaking to Cope Radio, Saúl articulated his thoughts on work ethic in professional sports: “I’m very sorry, but no matter how good you are, if you don’t work hard, you can have all the quality in the world, but it’s not enough.”
Saúl noted that Félix possesses extraordinary talent that, when utilized correctly, could see him excel on the world stage. He cited a remark from former La Liga manager Paco Jémez, stating, “Talent without hard work isn’t anything.” This sentiment resonated with Saúl as he reflected on Félix’s career challenges.
The pressure stemming from Félix’s transfer fee was another point of discussion. Saúl acknowledged the burden placed on young players when significant expectations accompany such financial investments. “It’s a massive burden, when you’re so young and they tell you what they’ve paid for you and that they expect you to be a worldwide superstar,” Saúl explained. He emphasized his efforts to support Félix during their time together, but noted, “You can’t force people who don’t want it.”
Félix’s career has been marked by high-profile transfers, and he remains one of the few players in history with accumulated transfer fees exceeding €200 million. Despite the undeniable talent he has displayed, his journey has been characterized by inconsistency and unfulfilled potential. Saúl concluded, “It’s a pity because he was a very, very, very good player.”
As João Félix embarks on this new chapter with Al Nassr, football fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can harness his skills and reshape his career in a different environment.
