Lionel Messi wants to stay in Europe even after being offered a contract worth £350million per year by Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, it's been claimed.
The Middle Eastern side, a rival of Cristiano Ronaldo 's Al-Nassr, are reported to have submitted a bumper offer to the Argentine icon's camp after news emerged this week that he's close to leaving Paris Saint-Germain. The offer would see Messi and Ronaldo renew their rivalry in the Middle East as the country continues to invest heavily in sport.
Now 35, Messi's deal with PSG expires at the end of this season and despite holding talks with Parisian officials, a new contract doesn't appear to be likely. That leaves the door open for potential suitors to make a proposal, with Barcelona currently the favourites.
They have already confirmed that talks to re-sign him have taken place with his father and agent, Jorge, two years after the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's emotional departure which was brought on by the club's well-documented financial issues. And Barca boast a huge advantage over the likes of Al Hilal because of their European status, with Messi wanting to remain on the continent.
The World Cup winner's priorities came to light in the wake of Al Hilal's offer which he's set to turn down, according to multiple reports. Previously, Messi was tipped to leave European club football for the first time since the age of 13, with David Beckham's Inter Miami in the United States notably plotting a swoop.
Unfortunately for Beckham, though, it seems that the 35-year-old doesn't want to start winding down his career just yet - unlike eternal foe Ronaldo, who left Manchester United to join Al-Nassr in December. Although he's three years Messi's senior, many judged the Portuguese superstar's departure from Europe as an admission of his waining powers.
Messi could still remain at PSG for a third campaign but he wants guarantees over the French giants' sporting ambitions, having once again failed to win an elusive Champions League title this season. Meanwhile, despite their financial woes still not being fully resolved, Barcelona hope to bring him back to Cataluyna and former team-mate Xavi, now their manager, has urged him to return.
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"There is the [financial] fair play issue, but more than anything it depends on Leo's intentions and [if he wants] to come back," Xavi admitted last week. "If that's his intention, we will speak about it. We are friends, we speak often, but it's not the moment to talk about this, for the good of Leo, the club or the squad. It's an issue we're dealing [with], but from that to [him returning] is a big leap.
"I hope we see him come home. I'm the first person who would love to see the best player ever return. And it is normal that fans are excited about a 'Last Dance' like [with] Michael Jordan."
Another of Messi's ex-Barca team-mates, Thierry Henry, sent a similar message after watching the Argentina international put in a weak display as PSG lost 1-0 to Lyon on Sunday. Before and after the game, Messi was the subject of boos from unhappy supporters inside a toxic Parc des Princes.
"It's embarrassing to hear whistles. You can't whistle one of the best players on the team, who has 13 goals and 13 assists this season," Henry told Prime Video Sport. "After that, I don't know what he will do. Because the way he left Barcelona after everything he did… I didn't really like it. For the love of football, he should go back to Barcelona."
