Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal "preparing a £194-million-a-season deal for Lionel Messi"
SPORT 15 March 2023 - 21:09
Lionel Messi is reportedly set to be offered a deal worth £194-million-a-season to move to Saudi Arabia after his father was spotted in Riyadh earlier this week.
The 35-year-old's PSG contract is due to expire this summer, and he will become a free agent if he does not agree an extension before then, DailyMail reports.
Messi's father and agent Jorge, who is also a Saudi ambassador, has been in Riyadh in recent days, sparking speculation that he could be negotiating a move for his son.
Saudi Arabia are looking to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding Messi's future, with one of their top clubs Al-Hilal ready to offer him a lucrative contract once their transfer ban finishes at the end of the season, according to Marca.
Messi's great rival Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in a £175m-a-year deal in December, and Saudi Arabia are now planning to convince the Argentine to follow him by moving to the Middle East.
They are believed to be desperate to make the deal happen, with politicians willing to get involved to increase the salary limit in the Pro League so that Messi can play in it.
Messi had looked likely to extend his stay at PSG at the turn of the year, fresh off the back of winning the World Cup with Argentina in December.
But negotiations appear to have stalled since then, and it is no longer guaranteed that he will remain in the French capital beyond this season.
The French champions have also suffered a significant dip in form in 2023, which may have caused Messi to have doubts about signing a new deal, with Christophe Galtier's side already out of the Champions League.
Bringing Messi to Saudi Arabia would be a major coup for the Middle Eastern country, and would leave them with the two biggest stars in world football playing in their league.
Messi and Ronaldo are widely recognised as the finest players of their generation, having won the Ballon d'Or 12 times between them.
It appeared that their rivalry could be over for good when Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia, but they faced each other once more in a friendly in January when PSG played a Saudi All-Star team, and they could go head-to-head on a regular basis if Al-Hilal convince Messi to agree to their proposal.
Ronaldo has scored eight goals in seven league matches for Al-Nassr and is the biggest star in the division by a distance, but that status would be challenged should Messi move to Saudi Arabia in the coming months.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Azerbaijan's diplomatic masterstroke: Return of occupied villages marks strategic achievement New geopolitical reality
21 April 2024 - 11:43
|
2
|
Armenia returns four villages to Azerbaijan, paving the way for peace in the South Caucasus Landmark accord
23 April 2024 - 09:14
|
3
|
Early Russian withdrawal from Karabakh: how has Azerbaijan’s ‘calculated risk’ strategy paid off? Contemplations with Orkhan Amashov
21 April 2024 - 10:03
|
4
|
Armenian PM's Moscow visit sparks speculation on bilateral relations Dilemma between East, West
23 April 2024 - 11:19
|
5
|
Diplomatic World Sweden shines light on Azerbaijan's landmine challenge That hinders reconstruction
21 April 2024 - 13:24
|
Best way to avoid war is to “talk less, prepare more”
Finland’s president says24 April 2024 - 18:07
International experts view restoration activities in Lachin
24 April 2024 - 18:03
Jamaica recognizes State of Palestine
24 April 2024 - 17:53
"Peoples of South Caucasus should resolve their differences independently"
Foreign analysts on Caliber.Az24 April 2024 - 17:40
HAMAS holding hostage 30 high-ranking Israeli security forces members
24 April 2024 - 17:38
Top 100 fastest-growing FDI destinations
Baku ranks 3rd24 April 2024 - 17:30
Argentina asks Interpol to arrest Iranian minister over attack
24 April 2024 - 17:23
Russia urges Armenia to clarify National Assembly president’s speech
Following scandalous statements24 April 2024 - 17:19
Three signs US could be heading for recession
Expert analysis24 April 2024 - 17:08
Mark Rutte seeks Türkiye's backing for new job
A new pair of hands24 April 2024 - 16:55
Israel gears up for Rafah civilian evacuation ahead of promised assault
24 April 2024 - 16:49
UK to deploy its Typhoon fighter jets to Poland in 2025
24 April 2024 - 16:32
Taliban to create special unit to fight Islamic State
24 April 2024 - 16:18
Assessing Pashinyan's statements on normalizing relations with Baku
Armenia's political shift24 April 2024 - 16:15
Argentina asks Interpol to arrest Iran minister over 1994 Jewish centre bombing
24 April 2024 - 16:01
Azerbaijani official highlights unique opportunity for Baku, Yerevan to achieve peace
Interview with BBC24 April 2024 - 15:57
Presidential envoy: Lachin has great potential in renewable energy sources
24 April 2024 - 15:45
Turkish Armed Forces continue to destroy terrorists in Syria
VIDEO24 April 2024 - 15:31
"NATO base in the South Caucasus will cause uncontrollable processes"
Israeli analyst on Caliber.Az24 April 2024 - 15:28
Armenian pundit advocates for coexistence formula with Azerbaijan to preserve statehood
24 April 2024 - 15:18
German opposition urges UK’s PM to pressure German Chancellor
24 April 2024 - 15:07
US has no immediate plan to sanction Chinese banks over Russia
24 April 2024 - 14:52
Türkiye, Iraq, UAE, Qatar agree on “Development Path” project
24 April 2024 - 14:37
Azerbaijan's "white gold"
Cotton market rebounds24 April 2024 - 14:28
White House knows that global south has a point
24 April 2024 - 14:22
Bilateral relations, regional dynamics, & peacekeepers’ withdrawal
Key takeaways from President Aliyev's Moscow visit24 April 2024 - 14:07
Azerbaijan sends humanitarian aid to Kazakhstan amidst flooding crisis
24 April 2024 - 13:52
Russia may shift target set to hit Ukrainian transportation infrastructure
Institute for Study of War’s analysis24 April 2024 - 13:37
Azerbaijani Navy, Emergencies Ministry hold exercises in Caspian Sea
PHOTO24 April 2024 - 13:27
Lawyer stresses importance of Azerbaijani-Armenian border delimitation for sovereignty
24 April 2024 - 13:22
Azerbaijan, Russia’s Bashkortostan strengthening trade ties
24 April 2024 - 13:07
Lachin checkpoint: A symbol of Azerbaijan's commitment to peace and stability
A year on24 April 2024 - 13:04
European Parliament involved in several scandals
24 April 2024 - 12:52
German climate envoy expects “difficult discussions” on COP29 at upcoming minister meeting
24 April 2024 - 12:37
Armenian Church's involvement in border disputes
Challenges to peace24 April 2024 - 12:30
World think tank reps visit Azerbaijan’s Karabakh
24 April 2024 - 12:22
US Secret Service prepares for if Trump jailed for contempt in hush money case
24 April 2024 - 12:07
Egypt denies discussing Rafah invasion with Israel
24 April 2024 - 11:52
Azerbaijan holds official welcome ceremony for President of Kyrgyzstan
24 April 2024 - 11:40
US billionaire warns about civil war in West
24 April 2024 - 11:37