Multiple reports have emerged that Lionel Messi is on the verge of signing a record-breaking deal with Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal. The 35-year-old Argentine playmaker is set to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East this summer, after his contract with Paris Saint Germain expires. According to reports in France, Messi is expected to sign a contract worth £522 million, which would make him one of the highest-paid players in the world.
The news broke just days after Messi was suspended by PSG for two weeks without pay following an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. He apologized publicly to the club and is understood to have returned to first team training on Monday. However, some sources suggest that Messi’s decision to visit Saudi Arabia may have been to negotiate his move to Al-Hilal.
If the reports are true, Messi’s move to Al-Hilal would be a major coup for the Saudi Arabian club, as well as for the Pro League. Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, having won numerous domestic and international titles with Barcelona and Argentina. His arrival in Saudi Arabia would undoubtedly raise the profile of the league and attract more global attention to the sport in the region.
It remains to be seen how PSG will react to the news of Messi’s potential move. The French club signed the Argentine superstar in August 2021, in what was seen as a major coup for the club. However, Messi has struggled to find his best form at PSG, and his suspension for the trip to Saudi Arabia has only added to the speculation about his future.
As the rumors about Messi’s future continue to swirl, fans and pundits alike are eagerly anticipating his next move. If he does join Al-Hilal, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the new league and whether he can replicate his previous success on the pitch. One thing is for sure – Messi’s move to the Middle East would be a major talking point in the world of football, and would further cement his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.
