Portuguese forward João Félix produced a remarkable creative performance as Al-Nassr defeated Al-Kholood 5-3, providing four assists to equal the Saudi Pro League record for the most assists by an individual player in a single match.

Félix was directly involved in Al-Nassr’s first four goals in the eight-goal encounter, setting up strikes by Ângelo Gabriel, Sadio Mané and Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick to complete the victory. Blueprint reports

The performance placed the former Chelsea, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid forward in an exclusive group of players who have registered four assists in one Saudi Pro League match since the competition was established in 2008.

Moroccan midfielder Youssef El Kaddioui first achieved the feat in February 2011, when he supplied four assists in Al-Wehda’s 8-1 victory over Al-Hazem. French winger Moussa Diaby subsequently matched the record in September 2024, providing four assists as Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Wehda 7-1.

Félix has now joined the pair, underlining his growing influence at Al-Nassr and adding another landmark to his career in Saudi Arabia.

Félix orchestrates Al-Nassr’s attacking display

Al-Nassr’s victory over Al-Kholood was far from straightforward, with the visitors showing enough attacking threat to make the contest competitive.

Al-Kholood took the lead through Julien Domingues in the 16th minute, putting pressure on the hosts to respond.

Félix provided the spark Al-Nassr needed, producing a clever backheel pass in the 24th minute to release Ângelo Gabriel, who restored parity.

The Portuguese playmaker was again instrumental in the 38th minute. His attempt from a cross turned into an assist for Sadio Mané, who capitalised to put Al-Nassr ahead.

The hosts, however, could not take their advantage into the break comfortably, as Al-Kholood found another equaliser before half-time through Loïc Essomba.

With the score level at 2-2, the contest remained open, but Félix would once again demonstrate his ability to influence proceedings in the final third.

Ronaldo benefits from Félix’s creativity

Cristiano Ronaldo took centre stage in the second half, scoring twice in quick succession to give Al-Nassr breathing space.

Félix supplied the assist for the Portuguese captain’s first goal in the 66th minute before setting him up again six minutes later to extend the lead.

Ronaldo completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute, although this time Sadio Mané provided the final pass.

The three goals took Ronaldo’s career tally to 985, leaving him 15 short of the much-discussed 1,000-goal milestone.

Domingues converted a late penalty for Al-Kholood, but the visitors could not prevent Al-Nassr from securing all three points in a match that combined Ronaldo’s finishing prowess with Félix’s outstanding playmaking.

While Ronaldo collected the headlines for his hat-trick, Félix’s four assists represented an equally significant individual achievement.

A record that reflects Félix’s growing influence

Félix’s performance is particularly notable because of the company he has joined in the Saudi Pro League record books.

El Kaddioui’s four-assist display in 2011 remained unmatched for more than 13 years until Diaby equalled it in 2024. Félix has now reached the same figure, demonstrating the attacking quality that Al-Nassr acquired when it signed him.

The Portuguese international joined the Saudi club from Chelsea in July 2025 in a transfer reported to be worth around €30 million.

Before moving to Saudi Arabia, Félix had played for several prominent European clubs, including Benfica, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea and Barcelona. His career has included domestic league football in Portugal, Spain and England, as well as appearances in European competitions.

His move to Al-Nassr placed him alongside some of the biggest names in the Saudi Pro League, including compatriot Ronaldo, Mané and other established international players.

The four-assist performance against Al-Kholood also surpassed Félix’s previous best individual return for assists in a single match, making it a personal milestone as well as a league-record-equalling achievement.

Al-Nassr strengthen position in title race

Beyond the individual records, the victory was important for Al-Nassr’s position in the league standings.

The Riyadh club moved to 28 points following the 5-3 result, provisionally sharing the top position with Al-Qadsiah, although the latter had a match in hand at the time.

The result also reinforced Al-Nassr’s attacking credentials, with the combination of Félix’s creativity and Ronaldo’s finishing providing a formidable threat to opposing defences.

For Félix, the performance offered further evidence of his ability to shape matches through intelligent movement, passing and chance creation rather than goals alone.

His four assists may not make him the sole record-holder, but joining El Kaddioui and Diaby in the Saudi Pro League’s history books is a remarkable achievement.

With Ronaldo continuing his pursuit of 1,000 career goals and Al-Nassr competing for domestic honours, Félix’s creative contribution could prove important as the season progresses.