Sport revealed that Saudi Arabian clubs such as Al Hilal and Al Ahli are restarting negotiations with Messi, as his contract with Inter Miami expires at the end of 2025. They are willing to pay a salary equivalent to - or even higher - the 750 million euros/year that Al Hilal offered in 2023, nearly 4 times the salary of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr (200 million euros/year). At that time, Messi refused an unprecedented salary in football history to choose Inter Miami - because of his family and a stable life in the US.
Al Hilal chairman Anmar Al Haili has expressed his respect for the decision, stating that “family is more important than money”. However, two years later, the ambition to bring Messi to Saudi Arabia has never waned.
In fact, Messi is no stranger to the Gulf country. He is currently the tourism ambassador of Saudi Arabia from 2022, under a contract worth 25-30 million USD / year. The Argentine star has appeared in many promotional campaigns, visited the Red Sea and many prominent landmarks here.
Messi's contract with Inter Miami is for 2.5 years, signed in the summer of 2023, and will end in December 2025. The American club has an automatic one-year extension clause, but the final decision still depends on Messi.
According to many close teammates such as Luis Suárez and Nicolas Otamendi, Messi is likely to continue to stick with Inter Miami - at least to prepare for the 2026 World Cup taking place in the United States. However, journalist Guillem Balague - author of Messi's biography in 2023 - revealed on BBC Sport : "No one knows Leo's future, not even Leo himself."
Balague said Messi's family is now settled in Miami, and he himself is negotiating a contract extension with Inter Miami. However, Messi still maintains his philosophy: focusing on each game, each tournament, and has not given any clear signs about the future, including participating in the 2026 World Cup.
Amidst all the speculation and all the tempting offers, Lionel Messi - at 38 - is still the name that the entire football world is waiting for his next decision. And whether he chooses the US, Saudi Arabia or anywhere else, it will be a turning point not only for his career, but for global football.
Source: https://znews.vn/saudi-arabia-ra-de-nghi-dien-ro-cho-messi-post1564893.html
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