Messi in BOMBSHELL transfer talks for Ronaldo reunion

Suraj Radia

7 Jul 2025 10:15 BST
4 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Saudi Arabia — © IMAGO

Lionel Messi could make a stunning exit from Inter Miami and reignite his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League after receiving a big money approach from the Gulf nation.

Article continues under the video

The legendary forward’s contract in Miami is due to expire at the end of December and his side’s patchy start to the season could see Messi consider leaving the MLS club on a free transfer.

Current ETV

Lionel Messi

F, AM (R)

Inter Miami

Lionel Messi

F, AM (R)

Inter Miami

ETV Range

€7.9M - €10.6M

While Messi has yet to decide on his future, the 38-year-old has received numerous approaches from teams all over the world, with Al-Ahli being the latest candidates to throw their hat into the ring, according to L’Equipe.

Saudi Arabia had already tried to lure Messi to their league in 2023 when he opted to leave Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami and they will once again try their luck in order to continue boosting the country’s footballing profile ahead of their hosting of the World Cup in 2034.

Financial details of Al-Ahli’s approach have yet to be revealed, while Inter Miami are also desperate to keep hold of Messi and renew his deal, but it is likely that Saudi Arabia will make a substantial offer that could eclipse the Argentine star’s current salary.

With Ronaldo having extended his contract at Al-Nassr last month, the duo could renew their long-standing rivalry in a new league going into the twilight years of their careers.

Ronaldo vs Messi: head-to-head record ahead of potential blockbuster reunion

The last meeting between the two global superstars was in January 2023 when PSG played a ‘Riyadh XI’ featuring Ronaldo, with the Portuguese star netting twice in a 5-4 loss after Messi had opened the scoring in the third minute.

Prior to that, Ronaldo had emerged victorious in the last competitive matchup between the pair in 2020 when he scored two penalties in Juventus’ 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League.

© IMAGO - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have enjoyed a long-standing rivalry.

In 37 games against each other, Messi has emerged victorious in 17 compared to Ronaldo’s 11, although both players have scored 23 goals each in those meetings.

Should Messi move to Al-Ahli, he would be joining the Asian Champions League winners and a team who finished fifth and three points behind Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in a historical way to extend their fierce competitive rivalry.

Football transfer news headlines today

Osimhen picks his next club: Napoli striker REJECTS Saudi millions to make SHOCK move

Viktor Gyokeres sacrifices MILLIONS to join Arsenal

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal will NOT sell Ethan Nwaneri to Chelsea

Premier League summer transfers 2025: All the Done Deals

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store