• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Lionel Messi has made his feelings clear on Saudi Pro League as he 'enters talks' to join shock club

Home> Football> Football News

Updated 11:04 7 Jul 2025 GMT+1Published 10:59 7 Jul 2025 GMT+1

Lionel Messi has made his feelings clear on Saudi Pro League as he 'enters talks' to join shock club

Messi, 38, has played for Inter Miami since 2023 but could soon be set to move on to a Saudi Pro League club.

Luke Davies

Luke Davies

Lionel Messi has already made very clear what he thinks about the Saudi Pro League, as the Argentine has been linked with a move to the Middle East.

Messi, 38, is currently at MLS side Inter Miami, having joined from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

On Sunday, he added two more goals to his tally, taking his total to 52 strikes in 64 appearances for the Herons as they romped to a 4-1 victory away at Montreal.

But the player’s future is still unclear, and as things stand, he will become a free agent this winter.

Advert

And despite being in his 39th year, he will not be short of suitors if he does become available.

On Monday, French outlet L’Equipe reported that Saudi Pro League side and current AFC Champions League holders Al Ahli have been working to convince Messi to join, although Miami are keen to retain the player beyond the winter.

Lionel Messi in action for Inter Miami (Credit:Getty)
Lionel Messi in action for Inter Miami (Credit:Getty)

In 2023, fellow Saudi side Al Hilal reportedly offered Messi a deal worth €1.5b (£1.3b) over three years, but he opted to move to the States.

Advert

With long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo having recently committed his future to Saudi outfit Al Nassr for another two years, Messi’s interest could be piqued at the thought of renewing their iconic rivalry.

What has the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said previously about the league?

Speaking about the options he had available before joining Miami to TIME in 2023, Messi said: “The truth is that fortunately, I had several options on the table that were interesting, and I had to analyze them and think, even weigh them up with my family, before making the final decision to come to Miami.

“My first option was to return to Barcelona, but it was not possible

Advert

“It is also true that later I was thinking a lot about going to the Saudi league, where I know the country, and they have created a very powerful competition that can become an important league in the near future

“As the country’s tourism ambassador, it was a destination that attracted me, especially because I’ve enjoyed everything I have visited, because of how football is growing in the country and because of the effort they are putting into creating a top competition.”

Lionel Messi has been linked with Al Ahli (Credit:Getty)
Lionel Messi has been linked with Al Ahli (Credit:Getty)

As reported by The Guardian, Messi’s commercial deal with the Saudi Tourism Authority is said to be worth around $25m (£18.4m) over three years.

Advert

His obligations include promoting campaigns, social media posts, charity appearances and all-paid-expenses vacations.

Of course, the country will host the 2034 World Cup and what better way to capture the attention of football fans than having the two greatest players of all time playing in a league?

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo, MLS

Luke Davies
Luke Davies

Journalist with expertise covering football - both in England and abroad - as well as combat sports.

X

@lukedaviesmedia

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Lionel Messi in talks to join shock club from Inter Miami and he could earn more than Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Lionel Messi must follow strict Saudi rule if he joins Al Ahli that Cristiano Ronaldo found 'strange'
  • Lionel Messi has made his feelings clear on becoming a manager when he retires
  • Inter Miami take drastic action with Lionel Messi's 'bodyguard' to stop him joining Saudi Pro League club

Choose your content:

an hour ago
4 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Spurs brutally snubbed by top target after Eberechi Eze humiliation

    Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is set to miss out on another top transfer target.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Jadon Sancho wanted by surprise club after rejecting Man Utd exit

    The Manchester United forward has been heavily linked with a transfer this summer.

    Football
  • 4 hours ago

    Newcastle 'intensify' move for top Alexander Isak replacement target in new Liverpool twist

    The Reds previously saw a £110m bid rejected by Newcastle earlier this month.

    Football
  • 5 hours ago

    Lawyer reveals if Alexander Isak can use FIFA rule to terminate Newcastle deal and join Liverpool

    Isak remains under contract at Newcastle until the summer of 2028.

    Football