Joao Felix refused to speak with reporters after Al Nassr's first loss of the season, cryptically warning he would "expose this league" if he did. Joao Felix left reporters stunned in the mixed zone following Al Nassr’s 2-1 defeat to Al Ittihad on Friday, a result that cost Ange Postecoglou’s side their unbeaten start to the season and handed sole possession of first place to Al Hilal. The Portuguese forward, who played the full match alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in attack, appeared visibly frustrated for much of the second half, particularly after picking up a yellow card for a challenge on Al Ittihad midfielder Richard Rios that he clearly felt was harsh. That frustration spilled over once the final whistle blew. “I won’t speak to you, because if I do, I’ll expose this league,” Felix said while rushing past reporters without stopping for further comment. Whether Felix’s remarks were aimed specifically at the referee’s performance in Friday’s match or at broader officiating issues within the Saudi Pro League remains unclear, since he declined to explain himself any further before leaving the stadium. Joao Felix: “I won't speak to you, because if I do, I'll expose this league” pic.twitter.com/oMzsoQBvzO— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) September 5, 2026 Joao Felix set to miss Al Nassr’s next match Felix’s yellow card against Rios was his fourth of the season, which under Article 12 of the Saudi Pro League’s competition regulations, triggers an automatic one-match suspension for accumulating four bookings across different matches. That means the Portuguese forward will be unavailable for Al Nassr‘s next league fixture against Abha on September 9, leaving Postecoglou to reshuffle his attacking options as the club looks to respond to its first loss of the campaign. Felix leaves the pitch frustrated with the officiating Video circulating after the match, shared by Al Nassr Tribune, showed Felix and Samu Costa clearly unhappy with referee Khaled Al-Turais’ performance as they made their way off the pitch, still airing their frustrations well after the final whistle had blown. João Félix and Samú Costa were clearly unhappy with Referee Khaled Al-Turais' performance tonight.😖 pic.twitter.com/EPxrhMN6gq— The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) September 5, 2026 The footage adds further context to Felix’s cryptic comments in the mixed zone, suggesting his complaint extended beyond his own yellow card to the officiating as a whole throughout the match.
Inter Miami will be without Sergio Reguilon, Gonzalo Lujan and Micael for their clash against Atlanta United, though Lionel Messi is expected to remain available. Inter Miami will be without three regulars for their upcoming MLS clash against Atlanta United, with Lionel Messi still expected to be available for the match. According to journalist José Armando, Sergio Reguilon, Gonzalo Lujan and Micael are confirmed absences, all sidelined by lower-body issues that have limited the club’s options at the back in recent weeks. The trio’s absence adds to an already stretched defensive group, forcing interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos to dig into his squad depth to fill the gaps. Hoyos remains in charge of the team on a provisional basis while incoming coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez completes the work-permit process required to officially take over. Reguilon, signed as a marquee arrival to shore up the left flank, and Lujan, who had recently broken into the starting lineup, both picked up their injuries during Miami’s game against Toronto, while Micael has already been sidelined for a longer stretch. The timing is far from ideal for Miami, who are chasing points late in the season with the playoff picture still taking shape. Losing three defenders at once strips Hoyos of several established options just as the club looks to close out the year on solid footing, even with Messi still available to lead the attack. One more sleep until Matchday. ⏳ #MIAvATL🔗 https://t.co/IP7chTOHkg pic.twitter.com/DyGFa7w1rj— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 4, 2026 Atlanta United, for their part, arrive at the match looking to make the most of a shorthanded Miami side, with the hosts under pressure to convert this stretch of games into meaningful points before the regular season winds down. Abadia emerges as an option at left-back With Reguilon out, Cesar Abadia is being considered as one of the options to fill in at left-back. The 20-year-old is a product of Inter Miami’s own academy, having signed as a Homegrown Player after coming through the club’s youth setup, and made his first-team debut earlier this year during a short-term loan spell from Inter Miami II. Abadia has made just a handful of senior appearances so far, but his emergence as a fill-in option reflects how thin Miami’s fullback options have become, and a start against Atlanta would mark one of the biggest opportunities of his young career.
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