Lionel Messi has signed a “huge” deal to play in Saudi Arabia next season, according to a source close to the negotiations. The 35-year-old Argentine superstar, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ends on June 30, will follow in the footsteps of his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in January in a deal worth more than €400 million ($439 million). Both deals are being bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds with more than $620 billion in assets.
While Lionel Messi’s new club has not been named, the source said negotiations were swift and that the PIF was the source of the money. PSG, who suspended Messi last week for an unauthorised trip to Saudi, did not comment on the report. Lionel Messi, a seven-time world player of the year, has had two lackluster seasons in Paris after a glittering era at Barcelona, where he won four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles. He scored 11 goals in his first season with PSG but the team has failed to win a coveted Champions League trophy with him in the line-up.
The deal comes as Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its economy, which is heavily reliant on oil, and boost its international profile by investing in sports and entertainment. The PIF has already invested in a number of high-profile sporting events, including Formula One races, boxing matches, and WWE wrestling events. The country also plans to host the Dakar Rally and the Formula E electric car racing championship in the coming years.
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While Ronaldo’s arrival at Al Nassr did not have the expected impact on the pitch, with the club losing top spot in the Saudi Pro League and being knocked out of the King’s Cup and Super Cup, Messi’s signing is expected to be a major boost for the league and the country’s sports industry. The Argentine, who turns 36 in June, is still considered one of the greatest footballers of all time and is expected to bring his star power to Saudi Arabia.
