Saudi Arabian officials are reportedly making a strong push for Lionel Messi to join the Saudi Pro League this summer.
The Telegraph reports that the Saudi government is preparing a contract offer that would exceed Cristiano Ronaldo’s deal at Al-Nassr and become the most lucrative in football history, with officials willing to give Messi £320 million per year ($400m). Talks are underway between the Saudi officials and Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, as the footballer prepares to become a free agent in the summer when he leaves Paris Saint-Germain.
It remains unclear which club in the Saudi Pro League Messi would join, but Al-Nassr’s rivals, Al-Hilal, have been touted as a possibility. Messi’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia, which resulted in his suspension from PSG, came with numerous perks designed to convince him to move to the country permanently. A press release from the nation claimed that he was “enchanted” by a trained falcon that perched on his shoulder, while his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, wore the Saudi hama on her head as part of local tradition.
Although Saudi Arabia is likely to offer the best contract terms, Messi is still considering his options and reportedly waiting for more specifics from Barcelona and Inter Miami. PSG is set to lose Messi for free this summer, and it appears that Saudi Arabia is willing to pay whatever it takes to secure his services. The Saudi government is expected to keep in close contact with Messi in the coming months.
