Despite rejecting to play in the Saudi Pro League, Lionel Messi still earns millions from the Gulf nation as part of a secret deal.
Back in April, Lionel Messi was offered a deal of a lifetime when he was offered to play in the Saudi Pro League for Al Hilal. He was to be given a 400 million euro a season deal, something which would have made him the highest-paid player on the planet.
Despite the massive offer, Messi rejected the deal and chose to play in Inter Miami. But Messi is still under contract to the Saudis, as part of a secret deal.
Lionel Messi’s gracious tourism partnership with Saudi Arabia
According to The New York Times, Lionel Messi signed a lucrative deal with Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority back in 2021. The source leaked details of the contract showing that in over 3 years, Messi could earn up to $25 million. He has become an ambassador of sorts to promote the growing tourism industry in the country.
Messi is said to be paid around $2 million for an annual trip to the Gulf nation with his family for five days. He can also choose to do two annual vacations each for three days. All expenses will be paid for by the Saudi tourism authorities and he can bring up to 20 people on his trips.
The deal also stipulates that Messi has to post images of his vacations to the country on his various social media accounts. Messi is one of the most followed players on both Facebook and Instagram, where on the latter he has 472 million followers. This makes him the second most followed account after Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Argentine will have to promote the country on his social media and also perform some charity work from time to time. Messi first posted about his presence in the country back in May 2022.
Another clause in the deal says that Messi cannot under any circumstance tarnish the reputation of the country.
It’s clear that the Saudis are trying to paint a positive image of the country ahead of their 2030 World Cup bid. And they are taking the help of the former Barcelona great to achieve this.
Lionel Messi once suspended from PSG for traveling to Saudi Arabia
The Argentine magician was once suspended by his previous club Paris Saint Germain for a vacation he took to Saudi Arabia.
Back in April, to honor his duties under his STA contract, the Argentine had gone to Saudi for a promotional advertisement. But the club said that he missed a training session that was not in the normal schedule but was put as an extra session after PSG’s humiliating 3-1 loss against Lorient. The Parisiens fined and suspended Messi for two weeks’ salaries and suspended him for the same amount of time.
Later he was reinstated back to the squad after he posted an apology video and two months later, he eventually left the club.
I am happy to welcome #Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences.
— Ahmed Al Khateeb أحمد الخطيب (@AhmedAlKhateeb) May 1, 2023
We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality. 🇸🇦#WelcomeMessi pic.twitter.com/QQGdnAqQ08
Messi had posted images of his visit with his family there which quickly went viral at the time. The Argentine could be seen enjoying the nation’s many unique features with his wife and kids. He relaxed in the Saudi sun, was seen playing a carrom board game, and fed a gazelle with his sons.
So while Messi may have snubbed a big-money move to the Saudi league, he is still being paid to represent them.
