-
News
- 6 hours ago
Saudi Arabia reject Messi offer for mid-season transfer ahead of 2026 World Cup
Suraj Radia
- 30 Oct 2025 14:00 CDT
- 4 min read
News
Saudi Arabia reportedly turned down a short-term contract offer from Lionel Messi to play in their league during the upcoming MLS break.
The MLS regular season wrapped up earlier this month, with the playoffs set to run until December before Messi and his Inter Miami side go on hiatus until March.
Current ETV
Lionel Messi
F, AM (R)
Inter Miami
Lionel Messi
F, AM (R)
Inter Miami
ETV Range
€6.2M - €8.3M
Some US-based stars have historically used the break to join a European side on a short-term loan in order to keep up their fitness and form, particularly during a World Cup year, with Messi allegedly wanting to keep in shape ahead of next summer’s tournament.
However, Abdallah Hammad, the general manager of the Mahd Academy for Talent Development in Saudi Arabia, claimed that he was contacted by Messi’s team during the summer’s Club World Cup with a proposal for the World Cup winner to play in the country during the upcoming break, only for the country’s chiefs to turn down the offer.
“Messi wanted to play in Saudi Arabia during the four-month hiatus of the American league in order to prepare for the 2026 World Cup,” Hammad told a podcast by Saudi outlet Thmanyah.
“I submitted the proposal to the minister, but he refused to let Messi come for just four months and the matter was closed. He said that the Saudi Pro League would not be a training camp.”
Messi set to miss out on Saudi reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo
The likes of David Beckham and Thierry Henry had loan spells in Europe during their time in the MLS, while Son Heung-Min has a clause in his contract at Los Angeles FC to make a similar switch this winter if he chooses to do so, with Barcelona among the sides interested.
With the 2026 World Cup – set to be played in Canada, the United States and Mexico – beginning in June next year, US-based stars are seemingly conscious of losing momentum during the MLS break and could explore short-term moves to Europe.
A move to Saudi Arabia would have been a shocking development for Messi and could have seen him renew his long-term rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr.
Messi had been linked with a move to Al-Hilal before joining Inter Miami in 2023 but he is set to continue his career in America after renewing his contract with the MLS side this month.
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 in the Apple App Store. Download here:
