Al-Hilal react ANGRILY over Messi transfer

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 14 May 2023 14:45 BST
• 3 min read

Al-Hilal president Fahad Bin Saad Bin Nafel has reacted angrily to questions about whether Lionel Messi is joining the Saudi Arabian club next season.

Messi is a confirmed target for Al-Hilal and has been in negotiations over joining them on a free transfer for several weeks.

It has been reported that Al-Hilal have offered Messi a contract in the region of €400 million a year.

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What did Bin Saad Bin Nafel say about Messi?

"Do not ask me about Messi, I will not give any news,” Bin Nafel said.

“If something official comes out you will find it in the press department."

Messi tempted to join Al Hilal

L’Equipe stated last week that Messi’s camp is seriously tempted to join Al-Hilal, where he would become a rival of Criatiano Ronaldo who is playing at Al-Nassr.

PSG have suspended Messi for two weeks without pay (although he returned a week earlier than planned) after he missed training last week because of a trip to Saudi Arabia.

Messi’s trip to Saudi Arabia on Monday was officially explained as being for commercial reasons.

The Argentine became a tourist ambassador for the country last year ahead of their bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

But a number of journalists, such as Rudy Galetti, report that Messi actually sat down for transfer talks with Al Hilal while in Saudi Arabia and that they went well.

Messi is certain to leave PSG at the end of season when his contract expires.

It had been expected for much of the season that Messi would pen a renewal with PSG.

However, following the news of PSG’s fine and suspension, the chances of an extension ended. Messi has even been booed by fans in recent weeks.

The other two clubs in the running to sign Messi on a free transfer are former club Barcelona and Inter Miami.

Al Hilal are the favourites to get him but Messi is believed to favour Barcelona if they can work out a way financially to make the deal happen.