João Félix Wins Saudi Pro League Player of the Season, Pipping Cristiano Ronaldo to Individual Honour at Al Nassr

João Félix has been named the Saudi Pro League Player of the Season for the 2025/26 campaign, claiming the individual honour ahead of Al Nassr teammate Cristiano Ronaldo following a standout debut season in Saudi Arabia.

The award was announced on Friday, 23 May 2026 — one day after both players featured in Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League title victory. According to Fabrizio Romano, Félix registered 20 goals and a league-leading 13 assists across the season, a combined contribution that voters deemed sufficient to elevate him above Ronaldo in the final reckoning.

Félix, 26, joined Al Nassr from Chelsea in the summer of 2025 and quickly established himself as one of the most influential players in the Saudi Pro League. As an attacking midfielder, his creativity and all-round output — rather than goal tally alone — were cited as the deciding factors in his selection for the award.

Despite finishing second in the Player of the Season vote, Ronaldo had a remarkable individual campaign of his own. The 39-year-old claimed the league’s Golden Boot after finishing as the competition’s top scorer with 35 goals, once again underscoring his extraordinary consistency at an age when most players have long since retired. The Saudi Pro League title also represented Ronaldo’s first major trophy since joining Al Nassr in late 2022 following his acrimonious departure from Manchester United.

Other players reportedly considered for the Player of the Season award included N’Golo Kanté of Al-Ittihad and Aleksandar Mitrović of Al Hilal, both of whom enjoyed strong campaigns for their respective clubs.

Félix’s trajectory since leaving Atlético Madrid has been closely watched. After a loan spell at Chelsea in the second half of the 2022/23 season and subsequent moves, the former Benfica prodigy appeared to rediscover his best form upon arriving in Riyadh. His 2025/26 statistics — 20 goals and 13 assists — represent arguably the most productive season of his professional career to date.

The league triumph and the individual recognition for Félix mark a significant moment for Al Nassr, who endured several near-misses in domestic competition since Ronaldo’s high-profile arrival. The Saudi Pro League has continued to attract global attention following a wave of marquee signings over the past three seasons, with the 2025/26 campaign delivering one of its most compelling title races to date.

For Ronaldo, the championship medal ends a lengthy wait for silverware in Saudi Arabia, while the Golden Boot further cements his status as the division’s most prolific scorer since the league’s international expansion began. His performance this season has also reignited debate about his continued relevance at the highest level despite his age.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching later this year, both Félix and Ronaldo are expected to feature prominently for Portugal. Coach Roberto Martínez has already named a 24-man squad that includes both players, setting up the prospect of their Al Nassr partnership being replicated on the international stage.