According to French media reports, Lionel Messi’s move to the Saudi Arabian football league is nearing completion. The AFP news agency quoted a UK source as saying the signature was “a done deal”. Only small details are still to be clarified. According to reports, 35-year-old Messi is set to rake in no less than €500m for a two-year deal. Messi’s father denied that his son had already signed anything.
The Argentine is still under contract with Paris Saint-Germain until June 30th. Messi has been Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Ambassador for years. It has already been reported that the seven-time world footballer should have received an offer from al-Hilal. As the person quoted by AFP noted, the future employer is still open. “It’s Saudi Arabia buying him, not a specific club. The money comes from one entity – PIF (Public Investment Fund, ed.),” he said. This is the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
Messi’s father denies the move
Nothing is fixed yet, Jorge Messi clarified on the same day. “We can assure you that there is nothing with anyone. Neither verbally, nor signed, nor agreed and it will be nothing until the end of the season,” Messi’s father said in a statement on Instagram. “The decision will never be made before Lionel finishes the league with PSG.” Once the season is over “it will be time to analyze and see what’s out there and then a decision will be made”.
Messi would become the highest earning sportsman. His longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo received a reported 200 million euros per season after his transfer to al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, making him the world’s top earner. The Portuguese signed in the Saudi Pro League until 2025.
