There has been a surge in speculation regarding Lionel Messi’s next move in recent days. This was triggered by Paris St Germain’s decision to suspend him for taking an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia and a report by the AFP news agency on Tuesday that claimed he had already signed a deal with a club in the country.
Messi, who is a 35-year-old football icon from Argentina and recently won the Qatar World Cup, has a contract with PSG that expires at the end of this season. His father and agent, Jorge Messi, has stated that no decisions will be made until after the end of PSG’s season on June 3. Despite this, Al Hilal, a club in Saudi Arabia, is eager to sign him, and media reports have also linked him with a return to Barcelona and a possible move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal after leaving Barcelona in 2021. His contract with PSG, which includes an option for an extra year, is set to expire at the end of June. However, negotiations about an extension have reportedly broken down, leading to speculation about his inevitable exit.
According to a source from PSG, the club has not offered Messi a new deal and would have done so earlier if they had intended to renew his contract. Meanwhile, PSG fans have been protesting against the board and some of the club’s star players, including Neymar and Messi.
Despite being five points clear at the top of the French league, PSG has yet to win a Champions League title, and the club crashed out to Bayern Munich in the last 16 this season. Messi has not seemed happy at PSG and has at times appeared despondent on the pitch.
Football agent Marco Kirdemir has stated that Messi is seeking a change of scene and is unlikely to remain at PSG next year, given the apparent rupture with the fans. Kirdemir suggested that Messi could potentially move to Al Hilal, Inter Miami, or even return to Barcelona.
Messi’s sentimental return to Barcelona could be hindered by the club’s massive debt, making it challenging to afford his wages or stay compliant with La Liga’s financial regulations if they sign him. Nonetheless, reports suggest that Messi could be willing to take a significant pay cut to facilitate the move, and Barcelona’s president has promised the fans that Messi will return to the club.
While Messi reportedly desires to continue playing in Europe, he has yet to receive any official offer from Barca. However, a close source revealed that he has received a formal offer to join Riyadh-based Al Hilal next season, which could be worth about $400 million annually. Last week, Messi traveled to Saudi Arabia, supposedly for a promotional trip, causing him to miss PSG training.
Although an unnamed source confirmed Messi’s “huge” deal with an unnamed Saudi club for next season, Messi’s father denied such claims, stating that there has been no agreement or deal signed yet. While there are those who desire Messi in the United States, he may prefer a higher salary or status than an MLS club can offer, making a return to his hometown club in Argentina more appealing sentimentally.
However, given Saudi Arabia’s wealth, ambition, and influence, it wouldn’t be surprising if they win Messi over.
As a part of Saudi Arabia’s plan to globalize and promote tourism by 2023, the nation is heavily investing in various sectors including sports. One of the notable developments was Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s rival, joining Al Nassr based in Riyadh earlier this year.
In January, Messi and Ronaldo played against each other in an exhibition match in Riyadh where Qatari-owned PSG faced a combined team from Al Nassr and Al Hilal. If these two football giants were to play in competitive games, it would further elevate Saudi Arabia’s football profile. This is especially relevant as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the Club World Cup for the first time in December and has submitted a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup. However, some media reports suggest that Ronaldo is unhappy with Al Nassr.
Kirdemir, a spokesperson for Al Hilal, stated that their aim is to become the best team in the Middle East. “This year, Al Hilal wants to bring in all the stars… and besides, it is the king’s team,” he said. “Saudi Arabia also wants to showcase a super league with big stars and become a candidate for the World Cup.”
