Lionel Messi Denies Moving to Saudi Arabia in Summer 2022

[골닷컴] Correspondent Kang Dong-hoon = Paris Saint-Germain (France) striker Lionel Messi (35) is moving to Saudi Arabia this summer has been found to be ‘fake news’. His father and agent Jorge Messi (65, Argentina) denied it outright, saying, “There has been no negotiation or agreement so far.”

According to AFP on the 9th, breaking news was reported that Messi would play in Saudi Arabia next season. In particular, he even used the expression ‘contract done (Done Deal)’ and emphasized, “We are planning to sign a super-large contract, and only detailed coordination remains.” The destination was narrowed down to Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), which recently offered an astronomical annual salary of 400 million euros (approximately 582 billion won).

Naturally, the soccer world around the world couldn’t hide its surprise as attention was focused on seeing a rare scene in which Messi plays ‘Meho War’ with his ‘rival’ Cristiano Ronaldo (38, Al Nasr) on the Asian stage, not the European stage. Some even expressed deep regret, saying that even the ‘god of football’ ended up heading to Saudi Arabia.

However, it has been confirmed that Messi has not yet decided where he will go. Jorge said in an official statement on the 10th, “I have not signed a contract with any club yet. I will not make any decisions until the end of this season. There are always rumors and rumors, but there is only one truth.” did. At the same time, he firmly drew the line, saying, “I can be sure that there has been no negotiation or agreement so far. And that will be the case until the end of the season.”

Since then, French media ‘RMC Sport’, reporter Fabrizio Romano, an expert in the European football transfer market, etc. all said, “The situation with Messi is still unchanged. The final decision will be made after the season is over.” ‘, and it ended with a simple ‘happening’.

Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of next month. However, as negotiations for renewing the contract completely broke down, he is scheduled to become a free agent (FA) as he ends his companionship. He was asked to take a pay cut, and the reason he turned down a new contract extension was that he was heartbroken after being booed by fans.

While it is certain that he will end his partnership with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi is contemplating where he will go. He considers playing in Europe a ‘top priority’ until the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America. As a result, prospects that he could return to Barcelona (Spain) in two years as his ‘parent’ came out one after another. In addition, Al-Hilal, who offered an astronomical annual salary, and Inter Miami (USA), owned by David Beckham (47, England), are also being discussed as next destinations.

Messi is called the greatest player in football history, ‘GOAT (Greatest of All Time)’. He scored 832 goals in 1,078 career games. During this time, he won 10 Spanish Primera Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, 1 FIFA World Cup title and 1 CONMEBOL Copa America title each. He also holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or winners ever (seven).