Chelsea winger Cole Palmer sparked a wave of online reactions after mistakenly referring to Saudi Arabia as South Africa in an Instagram comment. The incident occurred following João Félix’s announcement of his transfer from Chelsea to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr. Félix had commented “Once a blue, always a blue” on Chelsea’s Instagram post about his departure. Palmer responded with “Good luck in South Africa ❤️,” unintentionally conflating the two countries.
The comment quickly went viral, with fans expressing amusement and surprise at Palmer’s geographical mix-up. Some users suggested he might need a geography lesson, while others found humor in the mistake. Despite the lighthearted nature of the comment, it highlighted the importance of accuracy in public statements, especially on social media platforms.
João Félix’s move to Al-Nassr is part of a broader trend of high-profile players joining the Saudi Pro League. The transfer deal, reported to be worth up to £43.7 million, includes potential add-ons and marks a significant step in Félix’s career. At Al-Nassr, he will join fellow Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo and be coached by Jorge Jesus.
The incident involving Palmer serves as a reminder of the global reach and influence of social media, where even minor errors can garner significant attention.