Saudi giants Al-Hilal have already decided which date they intend to announce the signing of football superstar Lionel Messi, according to SPORT.
The Argentine is a free agent on June 30 when his Paris Saint Germain contract expires. Before the weekend, their coach Christophe Galtier confirmed that Saturday’s appearance against Clermont Foot to close the Ligue 1 season will be his last in PSG’s colors.
“I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football,” Galtier remarked on Thursday. “This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes.”
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PSG have since denied Messi’s departure, and have included him in a club clip to promote their upcoming 2023/2024 strip.
All signs point to the Qatar 2022 champion moving on in the summer, however, and he has a number of options to pick from as per his next destination.
FC Barcelona would love a reunion with their greatest ever player, but are currently struggling to put together a viability plan capable of convincing La Liga they can make the numbers work on a potential free transfer.
In Saudi Arabia, however, Al-Hilal have a monstrous offer waiting for the 35-year-old. According to El Chiringuito, it is some €350 million ($375 million) a year and would see Messi knock generational rival Cristiano Ronaldo off the top of Forbes’ list of the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes.
Messi’s camp, through his father and agent Jorge, has denied any agreement – as have Al-Hilal to Mundo Deportivo.
On Saturday, however, MD‘s rival publication in Catalonia, SPORT, reports that sources at the Saudi club have told them a date of June 6 has been set to announce signing Messi – in a move that will send shockwaves through the football world.
Messi is reported as being keen to have his future wrapped up as soon as possible so as not to live a transfer market soap opera over the coming months.
If the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner really is on the cusp of heading to Saudi Arabia, the development is a major coup for the Kingdom which has aspirations to host the 2030 World Cup and boast one of the strongest leagues in the world after already landing Ronaldo in January.
News Source – Forbes
