Cristiano Ronaldo has launched a passionate defence of his Portugal and Al-Nassr teammate Joao Felix following his decision to leave Chelsea this summer.
The nomadic forward’s career has stalled in recent years, having failed to settle at a number of Europe’s leading club.
AC Milan, Barcelona, Atletico Madird, as well as Chelsea, have all benefited from fleeting glimpses of his talent but the 25-year-old has been unable to find a settled environment in which to thrive.
After a brief loan spell at Stamford Bridge two years ago, Felix returned to west London on a permanent basis last summer but was almost immediately deemed surplus to requirements by Enzo Maresca.
Another temporary, and largely underwhelming spell, at Milan followed before he was back at Chelsea six months later on the lookout for a new club.
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With a lack of appealing options in Europe, Felix struggled to resist the overtures of the Saudi Pro League and opted to join Ronaldo at Al Nassr in a £43.7million deal.
Despite making a bright start at his new club, the move has been questioned by those who feel he has taken an easy option rather than look to reignite his career in Europe while the peak years of his career are ahead of him.
Portuguese podcast Chuveirinho took aim at Felix earlier this week which prompted Ronaldo to issue a stinging response.
‘Idiots don’t understand anything about football, yet they still give their opinions,’ Ronaldo wrote on Instagram, alongside three crying emojis.
The post has since been removed, while the Chuveirinho account has since posted a message asking whether they ‘deserve’ to be called out by Ronaldo after regularly praising the now 40-year-old star.
Chelsea were willing to let Felix leave, in part, due to the emergence of young talents like Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian.
Maresca said he is lucky to be able to pick between Palmer and the teenage Brazilian to play at number 10 and hinted the pair could be deployed together.
Palmer started Wednesday’s defeat to Bayern Munich on the right wing with Enzo Fernandez at 10 and Estevao limited to a late cameo, but the 18-year-old can also play in the position behind a striker.
He has started twice since joining from Palmeiras, in August’s 5-1 win away against West Ham when he was drafted in minutes before kick-off to replace Palmer – who was injured in the warm-up – and in the 2-0 win at home to Fulham.
He impressed at the London Stadium playing on the right, turning in a man of the match display and setting up a goal for Fernandez as the Blues earned their biggest league win under Maresca.
Still, the head coach urged caution as the teenager takes his first steps in the Premier League.
‘Estevao can be great in all the attacking positions because his talent is very good,’ he said. ‘He’s a top player.
‘But at the same time he’s 18 years old so he needs time a little bit. I think both (Palmer and Estevao) can play wide, both can play as a 10 and I feel very lucky to have both of them with us.’
