PSG, MLS, Saudi Arabia: Messi's future becomes clearer
At the end of his contract with PSG on June 30, Leo Messi has been discussing an extension with the Parisian club for several weeks and is also the subject of keen interest from MLS and Saudi Arabia. According to the last echoes of the Argentinean and Spanish press, Paris still holds the rope.
Where will Messi play next season? The question is on the lips of PSG fans and fans of the Argentinean world champion. This week, several Spanish media revealed that the Saudi club of Al Hilal was preparing a real golden bridge to Leo Messi. A rumor reinforced by the presence of his father Jorge Messi in Saudi Arabia this week (he has since returned to Barcelona where he regularly stays and where his other son Rodrigo lives).
According to La Sexta, Al Hilal would have offered last January 300 million euros per year to the Messi clan, which would have made a counter proposal at... 600 M€. The Saudi club would have refused but would now offer € 350 million per year to the Argentine, "who would like to earn more than Cristiano Ronaldo" according to this source, known for his love of storytelling. According to Marca, Al Hilal is interested in La Pulga and is expected to offer him €220 million per year, which is about what CR7 earns at Al Nassr.
🇸🇦 ¡¡Arabia Saudí prepara una oferta a Messi igual que la de Cristiano Ronaldo!!
— MARCA (@marca) March 15, 2023
🤑💰 La cifra estaría en torno a los 220 millones de euros por temporada, no sólo por el contrato como futbolista sino también por su imagen https://t.co/4szw0q1GYT pic.twitter.com/PO5s2xGxUd
But in another article, Marca explains that the trend is not for Messi to leave for Al Hilal or Inter Miami (MLS), the other club that is courting him for this summer. Messi would still give his priority to PSG according to the Spanish daily, but would like to know more about the project of next season before deciding. He would like to know who will be the coach and which players will accompany him if he decides to stay.
The Messi family not hot for Saudi Arabia
Last week, the Argentinian sports daily Olé explained that PSG was holding the rope to extend Messi's contract as he would still like to play in the Champions League next season and would have little chance of returning to Barça due to the financial problems of the Catalan club and his mixed relationship with Joan Laporta.
According to the Spanish media Relevo, Leo Messi is not insensitive to the XXL economic offer of the Saudi club, but "from a family point of view, it is a proposal that does not seduce the Messi". This source agrees that in the current state of affairs, an extension of Messi at PSG is the most likely option. Further meetings are planned between Jorge Messi and Luis Campos to find out exactly where the new Parisian project is headed.