Lionel Messi has accepted a huge offer from Saudi Araian side Al-Hilal, which will make him the best-paid footballer ever
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Lionel Messi has agreed a deal with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal worth over a billion pounds.
The Paris Saint-Germain attacker and 2022 World Cup winner is widely rumoured to be leaving Ligue 1 after two years this summer. Les Parisiens have failed to venture past the quarter-finals of the Champions League with the Argentine in tow and fan unrest is an all-time high over the running of the club.
Neymar is also set to leave the club, following 100 fans gathering outside his house chanting "Neymar, get out". PSG's 'Ultras' supporters’ collective have also issued a statement criticising "parasite players".
Lionel Messi has been offered a bumper Al-Hilal deal – but may yet turn it down for Barcelona
Lionel Messi is set to leave PSG (Image credit: Getty Images)
Now, Santi Aouna of FootMercato is claiming that Messi's father, Jorge, has accepted an offer from the Saudi Pro League for his son to become the highest-paid player in the sport. Messi will earn a staggering €1.2 billion in two years, should he take the contract.
The deal would also reunite Messi with long-time arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who is already based in the Middle East with Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo is already in the Saudi Pro League (Image credit: Getty Images)
Messi is said to still be interested in a return to Barcelona, according to the report, but has reservations over his former club's finances. The Catalan outfit would likely have to sell multiple players in order to finance a deal.
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The contract offered by Al-Hilal is said to be worth double Ronaldo's at Al-Nassr.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
