- 9 hours ago
Messi dwarfs Ronaldo with BIGGEST salary in football history
Carlo Garganese
- 3 May 2023 12:45 BST
- 3 min read
Al Hilal are preparing to offer Lionel Messi the biggest salary in football history in order to bring him to Saudi Arabia this summer.
That is according to L’Equipe, who report on Wednesday that Messi’s contract will be the most lucrative of any footballer past or present - surpassing his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
It has previously been reported that Al Hilal would offer Messi a contract in the region of €400 million a year.
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Messi tempted to join Al Hilal
L’Equipe add that Messi’s camp is now seriously tempted to join Al Hilal, where he would become a rival of Ronaldo who is playing at Al-Nassr.
Further reports in Spain, such as from Onda Cero, believe that Messi is almost certain to join Al Hilal now.
Messi’s trip to Saudi Arabia on Monday has officially been 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.
Indeed, Messi did a paid promotion on his Instagram accoint in collaboration with Visit Saudi. "Who thought Saudi has so much green? I love to explore its unexpected wonders whenever I can," the post read.
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’s contract at PSG expires at the end of the season and talks to renew the deal have ground to a halt.
It had been expected for much of the season that Messi would indeed pen a renewal. However, following the news of PSG’s fine, it now seems highly unlikely he will stay.
The other two clubs in the running to sign Messi on a free transfer are former club Barcelona and Inter Miami, but Al Hilal are now the favourites.
