Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal made an official offer during the past hours to Argentine superstar and the Paris Saint-Germain player Lionel Messi, Okaz/Saudi Gazette has learned from well-informed sources.

If Messi accepts the monster offer, it would be a major boost for Saudi Arabia with having two superstars of world football playing in their professional league tournaments.

According to the sources, the bumper offer from the Riyadh club includes all the advantages set for the player, and meets the demands of the best FIFA men’s player of the year 2022 and captain of Argentina, the 2022 Qatar World Cup Champions.

Messi stands at a crossroads of his brilliant football career with the French club, as he entered the free six-month period of his contract, which expires at the end of the current season. As his contract with PSG expires in summer, renewal talks are progressing and the final agreement is yet to be reached. Hence, a free transfer to Mideast is a viable option for Messi.

Jorge Horacio Messi, father and business agent of Messi, has been in Riyadh in recent days, sparking speculation that he could be negotiating a move for his son. If Messi moves to Saudi Arabia, it would put him in direct competition with his generational rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr, another club in Riyadh, last December.

In his capacity as tourism ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Messi traveled to the Kingdom on several occasions for promotional activities. Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb welcomed the world star Messi along with his family and friends to enjoy the most beautiful Saudi tourist destinations, exceptional experiences, and the hospitality of the Saudi people during his next trip.