Lionel Messi has made a shock decision not to play in Saudi Arabia after his Paris Saint-Germain contract ends, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
It had been thought that the Argentine World Cup winner would be joining former rival Cristiano Ronaldo and also Karim Benzema in moving to the ever-growing Saudi league. A reported deal of $1.2bn across his contract in the Middle East was said to be on offer.
He now appears to have rejected that and will instead revert to the first option available to him. It was revealed late in 2022 that new MLS side Inter Miami - partially owned by England and Manchester United legend David Beckham - were one of the top destinations for Messi.
A move to America at the end of his two-year deal in Paris seemed to be wrapped up before the prospect of a miraculous return to Barcelona was also raised. With financial issues and registration difficulties, a fairytale story now isn't possible and it is back to square one.
Balague, as well as others, is now reporting that Messi has agreed a deal in principle with Inter Miami and will join them this summer. The side have recently sacked manager Phil Neville but will be adding all-time great Messi to their squad instead.
At 35, Messi has now completed European football and world success having helped to crown Argentina in Qatar last year. It is said that a mixture of lifestyle and potential brand opportunities lead his decision to deny Saudi Arabia their biggest star yet.
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After a strained 24-months in France it was confirmed by PSG boss Christophe Galtier that Messi wouldn't be playing for the club again. He said: “I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football. It will be Leo’s last match at the Parc des Princes against Clermont."
His next game may well now be in America, where Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is from and it would be understandable if the businessman wasn't tinged with some regret. He has been keen on making a statement signing such as Messi, Neymar or Ronaldo since taking over and now appears to have lost out on the chance to make such a dream become reality.
The news comes just one day after it was confirmed that Chelsea's own star, N'Golo Kante, would be joining Benzema and Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia after a big-money offer was made to the Frenchman. There had been hope that the 32-year-old would remain at Stamford Bridge and be a part of the Mauricio Pochettino rebuild.
Elsewhere it ends the prospect of seeing Messi link-up once more with fellow countryman and former PSG boss, Pochettino. He will take over at Stamford Bridge on July 1 and has been a big fan of Messi throughout his career.
“Messi is this type of player, for me the best in the world today, better than Cristiano Ronaldo and he can decide a game," he said in November 2021. "[Diego] Maradona, for my generation, is always a very special player. When I was a child Maradona was like a god.
"It is difficult in your mind to change your view and say Messi is better or Ronaldo is better, but right now Messi is the best in the world. And if I didn’t coach Messi, I would still say Messi. I answer with my heart. I always say what I feel."
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