By Gbenga Oloniniran
Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal are ready to rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr by offering Lionel Messi a mouthwatering deal of up to $350 million a year, according to reports.
Messi, a Paris Saint Germain player, has his contract expiring in the summer making him a free agent in less than six months.
Ѕраіn’ѕ Мundо Dероrtіvо rероrted Тhurѕdау thаt thе Ѕаudі gіаntѕ arе offering tо рау Меѕѕі fоr а mоvе rіght nоw іn Јаnuаrу, between UЅ $300 mіllіоn аnd UЅ $350 mіllіоn а уеаr.
Меѕѕі’ѕ РЅG соntrасt ехріrеѕ аt thе еnd оf thе рrеѕеnt ѕеаѕоn оn Јunе 30, but thе Ѕаudі Giants аrе wіllіng tо рау hіѕ trаnѕfеr fее tо hаvе hіm nоw tо fіght thеіr rіvаlѕ Аl Nаѕѕr іn thе Ѕаudі Lеаguе аnd tо рlау fоr thеm іn thе Сlub Wоrld Сuр ѕсhеdulеd fоr Fеbruаrу.
According to ForbesSport, contrary to widespread claims, Messi has not agreed to renew terms at the Parc des Princes according to L’Equipe, which gives hope to parties such as Inter Miami and former club FC Barcelona.
Portugal star Ronaldo had joined Al Hilal’s rival Al Nassr on a two-year contract in a deal worth €200m per year with commercial benefits included.
The 37-year-old Portugal captain was a free agent after leaving Manchester United following a controversial interview in which he criticised the club.
Al Nassr, nine-time Saudi Pro League champions, described the signing of former Real Madrid star as “history in the making”.
The development around Al Hilal’s offer to Messi is looking more real as Saudi Arabia is currently preparing a bid to host the 2030 World Cup alongside Greece and Egypt, and having two of the greatest footballers of all time starring in their domestic league will swing heavily in their favor.
ForbesSport also gathered Messi is no stranger to Saudi Arabia after becoming an ambassador for the Kingdom’s ‘Visit Saudi’ tourism campaign in 2022.
Later this month, he will also travel there to play for PSG against Al Nassr in a friendly and Al Hilal could take advantage of the opportunity to make him a concrete proposal.
Source: The Punch
