In Copenhagen, João Félix brought Portugal’s Nations League evening to a close with a goal in a 4-2 win over Denmark, continuing a sharp start to the national side’s new chapter under Jorge Jesus. With Cristiano Ronaldo absent, the forward again took on a central role for Portugal.
The news from the club
Félix’s return to prominence with Portugal follows a season of renewal at Al-Nassr, where he worked under Jesus after a club career that had taken him through Atlético de Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona and Milan.
The 26-year-old found continuity in Saudi Arabia and produced the most productive campaign of his career before the 2026 World Cup. Across 47 appearances, he scored 26 goals and supplied 18 assists as Al-Nassr won the Saudi title.
| Al-Nassr season record | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches | 47 |
| Goals | 26 |
| Assists | 18 |
| Team outcome | Saudi champions |
Before the World Cup, Félix explained that playing in his preferred area of the pitch had made the difference. He said he was most comfortable operating as a No. 10 or second forward, positions in which he could make his movements on the ball and contribute more naturally to the team.
Jesus has carried that trust into the Portugal job, which he took in July. After the Nations League opener against Wales, the coach said Félix was a special player capable of producing something different even when fatigue was apparent, and that was why he had kept him on the field.
Portugal’s Nations League start
Félix has now made decisive contributions in each of Portugal’s first three Nations League fixtures. He scored the winning goal against Wales, opened the scoring in the 2-1 victory away to Norway, and then completed the scoring against Denmark.
- Wales: Félix scored Portugal’s winner in the opening match.
- Norway 1-2 Portugal: he registered the opening goal.
- Denmark 2-4 Portugal: he struck Portugal’s fourth goal, with Ronaldo unavailable.
After years in which successive transfers made a sustained run difficult, Félix has arrived in the international window with form, confidence and a clearly defined place under the coach who helped revive his club career in Riyadh.
