Amidst the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League, international stars face constant pressure to deliver their best in every match. In this context, questions have arisen in sporting circles regarding the noticeable decline in the goal-scoring rate of Portuguese star João Félix , a player for Al-Nassr, compared to his strong and promising start with the team. These questions were brought to the attention of the team's Portuguese coach, Jorge , who quickly defended his compatriot and emphasized his true value to the team.
More than just a goalscorer: Jesus's vision for Felix's role
During the press conference following Al-Nassr's match against Al-Najma, coach Jesus decisively addressed these concerns, emphasizing that evaluating Felix's performance shouldn't be limited to the number of goals he scores. Jesus stated, "Joao is a skillful player who contributes a great deal to the team. He creates numerous opportunities for the strikers and offers many solutions on the field." He added that Felix's tactical contributions, through his movement, ability to link the lines, and ability to draw defenders out of position, open up spaces for his teammates and directly contribute to the team's overall attacking system—something that might not be clearly reflected in goal-scoring statistics.
General context and importance of psychological support
Jesus's defense comes at a crucial time in the season, as providing psychological support to star players is an integral part of any successful coach's strategy. The move of a player of João Félix's caliber to a new league with a different culture and enormous public and media expectations places a significant burden on him. After an initial period of brilliance, it's natural for any player to experience a dip in form or a goal drought. This is where the coach's role becomes crucial in shielding him from criticism and restoring his confidence, something Jesus did brilliantly when he concluded his remarks by saying, "I'm happy with what João Félix is contributing to the team. It's true he's not scoring as much as before, but I'm sure he'll return to scoring in the future.".
Looking at his statistics this season, the contributions of the 26-year-old cannot be overlooked. He participated in 34 matches across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 12 assists for his teammates. These figures confirm his influential and decisive role, and that his recent goal drought is merely a temporary phase. His technical impact remains evident in Al-Nassr's performance, as the team relies on him as one of its most important weapons in achieving its domestic and continental ambitions.
