sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
BREAKING: Lionel Messi's £522 million move to Saudi Arabia is a "done deal"
Home>Football
Updated 11:16 9 May 2023 GMT+1Published 10:54 9 May 2023 GMT+1

breaking

BREAKING: Lionel Messi's £522 million move to Saudi Arabia is a "done deal"

Lionel Messi will join Cristiano Ronaldo over in Saudi Arabia, reports say.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Lionel Messi's move to Saudi Arabia is "a done deal" according to sensational reports.

Messi is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and it's emerged that the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner will be not be extending his stay in the French capital.

It comes after Messi was disciplined by PSG for taking an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, where he is a tourism ambassador.

Messi issued an apology via video and has since returned to first-team training but his two-year stint in Paris looks to be over.

Advert

The Argentina captain has been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona, who he joined as a 13-year-old in 2000 before going on to become the club's record goalscorer and greatest player.

But while the Blaugrana were exploring ways to pull off the deal, AFP, citing a source close to negotiations, say Messi will be joining long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East and that the transfer is "huge".

The deal with Saudi side Al-Hilal is believed to be worth a whopping £522 million, making it one of the most expensive contracts in the history of sports.

Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr in December and reportedly earns an eye-watering £175 million per year with the Riyadh side.

Messi, who played in Saudi Arabia for PSG against a Riyadh XI captained by Ronaldo in January, already rakes in around £20 million from his ambassadorial duties in Saudi but the rumoured pay packet will dwarf that.

His former Barcelona colleagues Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have both been touted as transfer targets for Al Hilal, who have former Manchester United and Watford striker Odion Ighalo on their books.

Al Hilal are fourth in the Saudi Pro League but are in the King Cup of Champions final against Al Wehda on Friday.

Manager Ramon Diaz was asked about a potential mega move for Messi and remained tight-lipped on the matter.

“Now we are focused on the game; we have a final," Diaz replied.

"And after the final, we’ll see what happens.”

Featured Image Credit: Alamy & Reuters

Topics: Lionel Messi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

Gareth Barry on Thomas Tuchel advice, England squad picks and World Cup: 'He’ll be fighting'GettyAteba Gautier was called the 'future' by Joe Rogan, but he's more interested in what his cats thinkMike Roach/Zuffa LLC'I’ll smash up my next few opponents': Daniel Dubois talks Fury vs Joshua, Jake Paul crossover and avenging Usyk defeatsBrooks Running'I don't want to be missing anymore' - Jamie Vardy drops retirement hint as he talks Netflix documentaryNetflix / Untold UK: Jamie Vardy

Advert

Choose your content:

20 mins ago
21 mins ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • Getty
    20 mins ago

    Man Utd executives make final decision on next permanent manager

    A decision appears to be close on Carrick's Man United future.

    Football
  • Getty
    21 mins ago

    Man Utd turn attention to cheaper midfield alternative as they refuse to meet price for top target

    United's primary target appears unlikely to join the club this summer.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Jose Mourinho and Florentino Perez agree on blockbuster transfer to save Real Madrid

    Mourinho is set for a Real Madrid reunion and major transfer window plans are already in place

    Football
  • Sky Sports
    3 hours ago

    Cristiano Ronaldo left 'in tears' after unthinkable scenario plays out in Al Nassr game

    Al Nassr were seconds away from clinching the Saudi Pro League title.

    Football
  • Cristiano Ronaldo Demands Al Nassr Sign Player Lionel Messi 'Humiliated'
  • Lionel Messi must follow strict Saudi rule if he joins Al Ahli that Cristiano Ronaldo found 'strange'
  • Jhon Duran was left 'confused' about following strict Saudi Arabia law which Cristiano Ronaldo was allowed to bypass
  • Lionel Messi has made his feelings clear on Saudi Pro League as he 'enters talks' to join shock club