Lionel Messi is set to seal a $234 million per year contract with Saudi Football Club (SFC) Al Hilal to play in Saudi Arabia’s Pro football league. This would pit the forward for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) against Cristiano Ronaldo, who now plays for Al Nassr.
However, there is no confirmed announcement about the deal from either Messi or Al Hilal. Various reports state that Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father, and agent, was seen in Riyadh this week. The footballer is also the official tourism ambassador for the kingdom.
Marca, a Spanish newspaper, said Al Hilal is preparing a bumper contract, which might make Messi the highest-paid footballer in the world. But the FC is under a transfer embargo due to contract complications with registering players earlier in the season. Al Hilal is going all the way to seal the deal as Saudi Arabia is set to submit a bid for the 2030 World Cup, with Greece and Egypt. The football club will also have to negotiate Messi’s departure with PSG, and would have to pay the French club money as his contract does not expire until June.
Getting Messi onboard is also a PR stunt for the club, with many labeling the bid as a football sports washing campaign to get the World Cup to the kingdom. It should be noted that the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia take over Newcastle United – to the tourism board sponsoring the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and hosting the 2030 Club World Cup.
