The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo to Al Nassr, one of the top football clubs in Saudi Arabia, was supposed to be a game-changing move for the country’s football scene. But it seems the Saudi officials are not content with just one superstar player in their midst. The next target on their list is none other than Lionel Messi.
Reports suggest that the politicians of the country are willing to go to great lengths to ensure Messi lands in Riyadh. They are even willing to change the laws to increase the salary limit and make it possible for the Argentine superstar to join a Saudi football club. It’s no secret that the country played a decisive role in the arrival of CR7 to Al Nassr, and they believe they can repeat the feat with Messi.
If Messi were to sign with a Saudi Arabian team, it is believed that Al Hilal would be his destination. However, the club is currently under FIFA sanctions and can’t sign any new players until the summer. Al Hilal is the team with the longest history in the Saudi championship and recently faced Real Madrid in the final of the World Cup.
Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father, was recently spotted in Riyadh, which has fueled speculation that the move may be closer than previously thought. While his visit was said to be for commercial reasons, the rumor mill has been working overtime ever since.
The Saudi officials have one major hurdle to overcome before making the offer to Messi. The financial package they need to put together is said to be the same as the one offered to Cristiano Ronaldo – a staggering €220 million per season. While Messi is already a high earner, it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to make the move to Saudi Arabia for such a lucrative deal.
Despite the challenges, the Saudi officials remain optimistic about their chances of bringing Messi to the country. They believe that with their financial muscle and the country’s growing reputation, they can convince Messi to enjoy his last years as an active footballer in Saudi Arabia. Only time will tell if their ambitious pursuit of Messi pays off.
