In what would be one of the biggest deals ever seen in sporting history, the Saudi Arabian government is reportedly in talks with Lionel Messi’s representatives to bring him to the Saudi Pro League.
The Telegraph reports Messi’s father, Jorge, is leading discussions with the Saudi government over the potential switch.
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The Argentinian superstar’s contract with European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the 2022/23 season and the Saudi government is prepared to pounce.
The report claims the overall financial package for Messi would be worth an eye-watering $AUD602 million annually, eclipsing longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s annual salary of $310 million with Al-Nassr.
Messi’s potential move to the Saudi Pro League would reignite his rivalry with Ronaldo which dominated world football when the pair were at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.
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The World Cup winner appeared set to extend his deal with PSG, however a recent unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia has all but confirmed he won’t be signing on.
Messi is an ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and paid a visit to honour his contractual obligations, but he did not receive permission from PSG to make the journey.
The French club subsequently fined him two weeks wages and suspended him for the same amount of time.
Should Saudi Arabia be able to woo Messi and secure his signature for a Saudi Pro League team, it would be a massive coup that gets them one over Qatar amid simmering tensions in the Middle East as Qatar also owns PSG via the Qatar Sports Investment Vehicle.
It would also be another power play by Saudi Arabia as they prepare a bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
