Saudi Arabia dreaming of Messi-Ronaldo link up

Suraj Radia

• 21 Jan 2023 18:24 GMT
• 2 min read

Saudi Arabian officials have admitted that they would love to see Lionel Messi play in their league alongside Cristiano Ronaldo despite insisting the Paris Saint-Germain forward was not close to a move.

Messi is out of contract at PSG this summer and there is speculation that he has already been offered the chance to move to Saudi Arabia on a lucrative €350m salary.

However, Messi is believed to be close to agreeing an extension at PSG, turning down interest from Barcelona and MLS sides in the process, meaning a renewed rivalry with Ronaldo may have to wait for now.

RUMOURS: The details behind Messi's potential Saudi move

Messi was in Saudi Arabia this week with PSG as they prepared face off against Ronaldo and an all-star team of Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal players but speculation that his father had been in talks with teams was dismissed by the country’s football federation.

Ibrahim Alkassi, the General Secretary of the Saudi Football Federation, told MARCA: “At the moment we do not know anything about a possible Lionel Messi arrival, although I do not hide that, as Saudi Federation, we would like to have him one day in the domestic league.

"The idea of the Federation is always to improve our football, and of course we would like to see Cristiano and Messi in the same league again, but the truth is that we don't know anything now."

Messi not ready to join Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December after leaving Manchester United and the 37-year-old’s arrival signified an attempt by Saudi Arabia to increase the profile of their domestic league and their reputation in Asian football.

The Portuguese legend is also expected to play a part in the country’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup, although Saudi officials have denied that this is written into Ronaldo’s contract.

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Messi is also an official ambassador for the Saudi Arabian tourism board, making a move to the country relatively simple if he was keen.

However, the World Cup winner is believed to want another opportunity to win the Champions League before considering moves out of Europe.