Lionel Messi has decided to leave Paris Saint-Germain and follow in the footsteps of long time rival Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia. The Argentine was expected to depart PSG at the conclusion of the season when his contract expired. There had been conversations about extending his two-year contract, which he signed when he joined the club in 2021.
But the French league leaders now appear ready to emphasise fresh talents over ageing star names. Moreover. Lionel Messi was fined and suspended by the club after an unapproved travel to Saudi Arabia following PSG’s league defeat to Lorient. While he is anticipated to attract bids from other leagues, his most lucrative offer comes from the Saudi Pro League.
Lionel Messi in line to pip Cristiano Ronaldo as highest-paid footballer with £522 Million Al-Hilal move
Lionel Messi has resumed training at Paris Saint-Germain following the early termination of his two-week suspension. The French club sanctioned the Argentine after he skipped last Monday’s training session in favour of a pre-existing obligation to the Saudi tourist board. Messi’s absence is said to have surprised his teammates, who had just suffered a humiliating defeat to Lorient 24 hours before.
On Friday evening, Messi broke his silence to apologise to his employers, releasing a video to his social media networks. He said:
“I wanted to make this video after everything that’s been happening. First of all, I want to apologize to my teammates and the club. I sincerely thought we would have a free day after the match [against Lorient], as had happened in previous weeks. I’d already had this trip planned, which I’d canceled previously, and this one I couldn’t cancel. To repeat, I want to apologize for what I did and I await what the club decides.”
While Messi has returned and resumed training after apology, bridges have been burnt between him and PSG, with the 35-year-old weighing up a move to Saudi with Al-Hilal. According to The Telegraph, Messi’s representatives have began negotiations with the Saudi authorities about a move to Saudi Arabia. Unlike in other leagues, state involvement in such manoeuvres is not unusual.
The contract might be valued up to £522 million, which is more than the astronomical sums surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the same country. Al-Hilal, a rival of Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr, who were unable to sign Ronaldo owing to a transfer ban that is slated to expire at the end of this season, are the one who have now proposed this humongous deal to acquire the services of his biggest rival, Lionel Messi.
According to French media, Al-Hilal has reportedly made proposals to sign Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Marco Verratti as well in order to demonstrate their dedication to Messi’s vision. Barcelona have also been in communication with Messi, who spent his whole career at Camp Nou before transferring to Paris.
Inter Miami are dreaming as well for the World Cup winner’s signature, with manager Phil Neville responding to the speculation in February. Messi has 31 goals and 34 assists in 71 matches for PSG in his two seasons there. He is already staring at a second Ligue 1 title in the French capital, but has been unable to deliver the club’s first Champions League trophy.