The 35-year-old Messi’s contract at PSG expires this summer, and the club from the French capital with Qatari owners is already preparing the details for its extension. However, other leading European clubs are also eminently interested in the star Argentine, and he is also linked with a possible move to the overseas MLS. But a fairy-tale offer from Saudi Arabia could trump everything. According to the besoccer.com server, Al Hilál would also like to get Messi right away (he would pay him out of the remainder of his contract in Paris), because he would like to deploy the new star at the Club World Cup in February.
The Saudi Arabian Clásico between the rivals from Riyadh would certainly have an exceptional appeal if the two unique fighters played against each other again, as it happened in the past in the Spanish La Liga, in which Ronaldo, two years older, wore the jersey of Real Madrid and Messi of Barcelona. In addition, experts remind that Messi is connected to Saudi Arabia by business ties, he acts as an advertising ambassador for the country.
🚨 Al Hilal, Al Nassr’s biggest rival, would like to sign Lionel Messi and are ready to offer him €300M/year. 🇦🇷🇸🇦
Just under double what Cristiano Ronaldo is earning. 🤑
(Source: @mundodeportivo) pic.twitter.com/YBMOBzU4wv
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 12, 2023
Anyway, the two soccer giants will meet soon. Ronaldo should make his first appearance after moving to Saudi Arabia in an exhibition match against Paris St. Germain with Messi. The match, which pits the French champions against a selection of Al-Nasr and Al-Hilal players, will be played in Riyadh next Thursday.