Messi moves away from PSG and advances in negotiations to play in Saudi Arabia – 09/05/2023 – Sport

Argentine Lionel Messi could soon move to lucrative Saudi Arabia, where he reportedly received a “huge” offer, after two quiet years for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner at PSG.

The oil-rich Gulf kingdom is proposing an “exceptional” deal for the 35-year-old, a source in Riyadh close to the talks said on Tuesday.

Messi’s signing with the Saudi Sovereign Fund and with a club whose identity has not been revealed is a “closed deal”, insisted the source, who remains anonymous, citing “some rough edges”.

However, the striker’s father, Jorge Messi, has denied that any decision on his son’s future has yet been made.

“There is absolutely nothing with any club for next year. The decision will never be taken before Lionel finishes the league with PSG,” wrote Jorge Messi on his official Instagram account, attacking those who “knowingly and deliberately deceive without providing any proof of your claims”.

The world of transfers is plagued by denials, plot twists and uncertainties, but in this precise case, one thing seems certain: Messi’s adventure in Paris has an expiration date.

Questioned this Tuesday by the AFP, the Parisian club merely recalled that Messi has a contract valid until June 30. But an inside source went further: “If the club wanted to renew the contract, it would have done it sooner”.

Arriving in the French capital in the European summer of 2021, the playmaker may leave without having realized the hopes that the owners of Qatar and Parisian fans have placed in him, disappointed with, according to them, his lack of involvement and for his discreet performance.

The acclaim and warm welcome given by a rock star upon his arrival gave way to criticism, even the whistles from the Parc des Princes ultras, fed up with the fiascoes in the Champions League, which they attributed to the transfer policy of the nouveau riche, whose main exponent was Messi .

It is true that the Argentine scored goals, gave assists and had flashes of genius, but he was far from the level shown in his heart club, Barcelona (2004-2021), which he left with four Champions won.

The hypothesis of Messi’s return to Catalonia seems incompatible with the state of Barca’s accounts.

Sought, Barcelona declined to comment on the information. “Why would Barca have anything to say? We don’t know anything about it,” said a spokesman.

Several media outlets have reported in recent days an exorbitant offer from Al-Hilal, estimated at 400 million euros (R$ 2.1 billion) per year to convince Messi and recreate the mythical rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for great rival Al Nassr.

On the part of Al-Hilal, internal sources told AFP that they had not established direct contact with Messi’s entourage.

It is Saudi Arabia that makes him come, not a particular club. The money comes from the same place: the sovereign wealth fund, said the source close to the Riyadh talks.

Saudi Arabia, like other countries in the Gulf, is betting in part on sport to diversify its economy and change its image as an ultraconservative kingdom.

That oil monarchy dealt a first blow last winter when Ronaldo signed a contract estimated at 400 million euros until June 2025. According to Forbes magazine, for the 2023 season alone, the Portuguese will receive 136 million euros (R$ 744 million ), which makes him the highest paid athlete of the year.

Messi already has a contract with the Saudi Arabian tourist office. His promotional escape to Riyadh last week without the club’s permission has soured his relationship with PSG, who have separated him from the group for a few days as a sanction.

The two years in France appear as a small stain on the triumphant career of the striker, champion in December of the World Cup, his last dream, against Kylian Mbappé’s France.