Lionel Messi Rumored to be Joining Saudi Arabian Club in “Done Deal”
Lionel Messi, regarded as one of the greatest football players ever, is reportedly leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for an unnamed Saudi Arabian club. According to a source, Messi will sign a “huge” deal with the club, and the negotiations are in the final stages. The deal comes just months after the Argentine lifted the World Cup in Qatar.
The report adds to the rumors that have been circulating since PSG suspended Messi last week for an unapproved mid-season trip to the desert kingdom, where he is a tourism ambassador. Saudi Arabia is attempting to diversify its oil-dependent economy and open up its ultra-conservative society by pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into sports deals, including signing Ronaldo, holding the F1 in Jeddah, and the LIV Golf tour.
Messi’s expected arrival follows in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in a massive deal in January. Both deals are being bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds. Despite several reports linking Messi with Al Hilal, one of the top Saudi teams, club sources denied having been in direct contact.
PSG Fails to Win Champions League, Messi and Neymar Protested
Messi has had two disappointing seasons in Paris after an extraordinary time at Barcelona, where he won four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles and is still revered by the fans. Qatari-owned PSG has gotten no closer to a coveted first Champions League victory, even with the illustrious Argentine in their lineup. Last week, frustrated PSG fans protested at the team’s Paris headquarters, targeting underperforming Messi, Neymar, and Italian midfielder Marco Verratti.
Saudi Arabia: A Growing Sports Hub
Saudi Arabia has held talks with Egypt and Greece about a joint World Cup bid and will host the men’s Asian Cup football tournament, the Asian Games, and even the Asian Winter Games on artificial snow. State-owned Saudi Aramco recently announced quarterly profits of $31.9 billion, more than three-quarters of the incomes of Western oil giants BP, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and TotalEnergies combined.
SOURCE: Ref – france 24 and AFP
Images: Forbes Images
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