Messi to Saudi Arabia? Father Jorge denies: ‘No deal at all’

Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint Germain and play in Saudi Arabia next season, according to the French news agency AFP. The club he is said to have signed a contract with is not yet known.

Various media mention Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia’s current number four as Messi’s next club. A mega offer would involve the Saudi investment fund Public Investment Fund as a lender. Messi is still under contract in Paris until the end of June.

Jorge Messi, the Argentine star soccer player’s father and business manager, however, denied Tuesday afternoon that his son is continuing his career in Saudi Arabia.

“There is no agreement at all with a club for next season. Lionel wants to finish the season with PSG first and only then make a decision,” Jorge Messi reported on Instagram.

Cristiano Ronaldo already made the move to Saudi Arabia last winter for a lot of money. He plays soccer for Al-Nassr. The five-time footballer of the year signed a contract until the summer of 2025 for about 70 million euros a year. The amount could even reach 200 million euros per year through commercial deals.

The 37-year-old Ronaldo forced a break at Manchester United in November. Public Investment Fund was also involved in Ronaldo’s transfer to Saudi Arabia.

Messi has been playing at PSG since 2021. To such good performances as the many years before with FC Barcelona, the vedette did not come. The Argentine is tourist ambassador of Saudi Arabia. Last week, Messi missed a PSG training session because he was in that country for promotional work.

PSG’s hard core has since turned against Messi. The supporters are balking at “parasitic” players, who they say should pitch in or else just leave.

Messi received the Laureus Award for Sportsman of the Year in Paris on Monday night. The Argentine soccer player became world champion with his country in December. Messi also got to take home the award for the Argentine soccer team, as captain of the sports team of the year.