Lionel Messi is close to a reunion with former rival Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. The Argentine is reportedly about to receive a very tempting offer from one of the country’s best clubs.
Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal reportedly want Lionel Messi to play for them and is preparing a lucrative offer worth £194 million a year. This could make him the highest-paid player in the world, overtaking his rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s £175 million a year deal with Al Nassr.
Messi, who is also an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry, is said to be highly coveted in Saudi Arabia. The country’s top officials are willing to do anything for the player to move there. They are also ready to increase the Saudi Pro League’s salary cap to allow Lionel Messi to play there.
Lionel Messi is reportedly set to be offered a deal worth £194m per season to move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal after his father was spotted in Riyadh earlier this week. 👀
— BeksFCB (@Joshua_Ubeku) March 15, 2023
— AllFootball pic.twitter.com/KbUMdKJvba
Jorge Messi, who is the father and agent of Lionel Messi, was seen in Riyadh on Tuesday. This has further fuelled rumors of a move to Saudi Arabia saying he is there to negotiate the contract.
Why is Lionel Messi not renewing his contract with PSG?
Currently, Messi’s contract with Qatari-owned club Paris Saint Germain expires this summer. A multitude of problems is preventing Messi to agree on a deal with the club.
Before the World Cup, it was reported that Lionel was closer to staying at PSG with a verbal agreement already in place between the two parties. However, since winning the coveted tournament, Messi has changed his stance. Dressing room politics have plagued the club and the team looks to be in shambles. All of this means Messi wants to leave before the situation gets too messy.
The club is also under huge pressure from UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play rules. They may face sanctions in the summer if they do not cut back on costs before the start of next season. This could see multiple high-wage players like Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos leave.
Could we see Messi and Ronaldo renew their rivalry?
The confusion regarding Messi’s contract standoff at PSG has made the Saudis try to take advantage. Once the season ends, Al Hilal will finish their transfer ban and they want to make a statement by signing Messi. They are also the main rivals of Ronaldo’s club Al Nassr and so we could again see the Messi-Ronaldo of the old El Clasico days.
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in January after parting ways with Manchester United. He was offered a contract that made him the world’s best-paid player. Cristiano had a dream start to life and scored eight goals, including two hat tricks in the Saudi Pro League. He even won the player of the Month award for February for his eight goals and two assists.
Do you think Messi will leave Paris for Riyadh? Will we get to see Messi and Ronaldo renew their rivalry? Tell us your valuable opinion in the comments down below!
