Lionel Messi: Al-Hilal make €1.5 BILLION offer to stop Miami move

Tom Hancock

• 7 Jun 2023 18:55 BST
• 3 min read

Al-Hilal have reportedly made one last effort to sign Lionel Messi, as the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner looks set to join Inter Miami.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, it appeared certain that Messi was heading for MLS, with a deal appearing to be all but confirmed – but could there be a dramatic late twist to the saga?

The 35-year-old – who finally captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year – was linked with a switch to the Saudi Pro League while Barcelona tried to engineer a romantic reunion, only for Inter Miami to seemingly when the race.

MORE: HERE WE GO! Fabrizio Romano confirms Messi to Inter Miami transfer

Now, though, according to Barcelona-based journalist Helena Condis Edo, Al-Hilal have tabled an extraordinary offer which would see Messi take home €500m a year.

That’s more than twice the amount Cristiano Ronaldo is reported to be earning at fellow Saudi club Al-Nassr.

Karim Benzema has also just made the switch to the Gulf kingdom, signing for newly crowned champions Al-Ittihad – where he’s expected to be joined by N’Golo Kante.

MORE: ‘People act like he died or something’ – Fans react to Messi’s Inter Miami move

KSA or the USA?

Where will Messi wind up, then? Well, all we truly know at this stage is that he is leaving PSG – where his contract expires at the end of June.

It’s worth noting that he does already have interest in Saudi Arabia: he serves as an ambassador for the country’s tourism industry – a role which saw him suspended by PSG after he made a trip to the Middle East without the club’s permission.

He’d be the biggest star in the Saudi Pro League – but, without Ronaldo stealing some of the limelight, he’d surely be an even bigger one in MLS. Popcorn at the ready…