Joao Felix caught reporters off guard in the mixed zone after Al Nassr suffered a 2-1 defeat to Al Ittihad on Friday. The result brought Ange Postecoglou’s side’s unbeaten start to the season to an end and also saw Al Hilal move into sole possession of first place. Felix started alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in attack and completed the full 90 minutes, but the Portuguese forward appeared increasingly frustrated during the second half.
His frustration was particularly evident after he received a yellow card for a challenge on Al Ittihad midfielder Richard Rios, a decision Felix appeared to feel was harsh. The frustration boiled over after the final whistle, with Felix refusing to stop and speak to reporters in the mixed zone as he headed towards the team bus.
Joao Felix Refuses to Speak to Media After Al Nassr’s 2-1 Defeat to Al Ittihad
Al Nassr’s four-match winning run came to an abrupt end in Jeddah as George Ilenikhena’s quickfire double gave Al Ittihad a 2-0 advantage within the opening 22 minutes. Angelo Gabriel pulled one back before the break after a well-worked move involving Cristiano Ronaldo, but despite Ange Postecoglou’s team dominating possession and repeatedly threatening the Al Ittihad penalty area in the second half, the hosts managed to withstand the pressure and secure a 2-1 victory.
The defeat also appeared to leave Joao Felix furious. After the final whistle, the Portuguese forward walked through the mixed zone without stopping for reporters, with footage showing him visibly agitated as he headed towards the team bus. Felix then delivered a cryptic warning, saying: “I won’t speak to you, if I do, I’ll expose this league.” It remains unclear whether the comment was specifically directed at the referee’s decisions during the match or reflected wider concerns about officiating in the Saudi Pro League, as Felix did not elaborate before leaving the stadium.
The loss was Al Nassr’s first of the season and leaves them on 12 points from five matches, three points behind rivals Al Hilal, who have maintained a perfect record and now sit alone at the top of the table. Ronaldo came close to adding to Al Nassr’s tally, threatening with an ambitious overhead kick before forcing another save with a low effort in the second half. The match also produced a lighter moment involving the Al Nassr captain, who was caught attempting to sneak a look at tactical notes that had been handed to an opposing player.
Joao Felix Suspended for Abha Clash as Al Nassr Look to Bounce Back From Defeat
Felix will now miss Al Nassr’s next league game against Abha on September 9 after his booking against Richard Rios took his tally to four yellow cards this season. Under Article 12 of the Saudi Pro League’s competition regulations, reaching four bookings across different matches results in an automatic one-match suspension. His absence leaves Postecoglou with another selection problem in attack as Al Nassr attempt to recover from their first defeat of the campaign.
Footage that emerged after the match, shared by Al Nassr Tribune, also showed Felix and Samu Costa visibly unhappy with referee Khaled Al-Turais’ performance as they walked off the pitch. Both players appeared to still be voicing their frustrations well after the final whistle, adding further weight to the suggestion that Felix’s comments were linked to his dissatisfaction with the officiating rather than only the yellow card he received.
With momentum now halted, Postecoglou’s side will need to quickly address the defensive mistakes that contributed to the defeat while also improving their attacking efficiency. Al Nassr return to action against Abha on Wednesday, September 9, and claiming all three points will be important if they are to prevent Al Hilal from extending their advantage at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.
