Lionel Messi is reportedly leaning towards not opting to extend his stay at Paris Saint-Germain beyond this summer and could now have the opportunity to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in their respective careers.
The World Cup winner signed a two-year contract to play for the Parisian club that also included the option of extending the arrangement by an additional year when arriving from Barcelona as a free agent during the summer of 2021. That third year has yet to be taken up, meaning the player has just over four months remaining on the deal before being able to leave in the same fashion as when exiting Camp Nou.
Ahead of Messi potentially becoming available again, clubs continue to be linked with the player. A return to the Catalan capital and a switch to the Major League Soccer side that David Beckham presides over, Inter Miami, are the two more prevalently rumoured possible destinations but following Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia could also be an option.
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Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January after leaving Manchester United by mutual consent some six weeks earlier and became the highest-paid player on the planet in the process. Messi also has pre-existing connections to the Middle East country, having become an ambassador for Visit Saudi, as unveiled by the minister of tourism last year.
That relationship means that a move to play professionally for a Saudi club could not be ruled out this summer. And where better than alongside Ronaldo?
Messi has previously made clear that he "would like to" play alongside Ronaldo one day when asked back in 2015. "Yes, of course (I would like to). I always like to play with the best, and he is one of them.
"I think it will be difficult for us to play in the same team, but obviously I would like to. I was lucky enough to play and participate with many very good players, and, obviously, I would also like to do it with him."
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