Lionel Messi move to Saudi Arabia is done deal, source says, revealing ‘exceptional, huge’ contract

World Cup winner had long been linked with a move from Paris Saint-Germain to Al Hilal to join his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi league

But source says ‘Saudi Arabia brought him, not a specific club’, with money from Public Investment Fund, which bankrolled LIV Golf and the Newcastle buyout

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Lionel Messi is already a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:00pm, 9 May 2023Updated: 10:05pm, 9 May 2023

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will play in Saudi Arabia next season under a blockbuster deal, a source said yesterday, potentially joining his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the kingdom lavishes its oil wealth on sport.

Messi will sign a “huge” deal with an as-yet-unnamed club, said the source, who is close to the negotiations that are taking place just months after the 35-year-old lifted the World Cup in Qatar.

“Messi is a done deal. He will play in Saudi Arabia next season,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“The contract is exceptional. It’s huge. We are just finalising some small details,” added the source, who is not authorised to speak to media.

There had been speculation about Lionel Messi moving to Al Hilal, but his next club is still not known. Photo: Reuters

There was no confirmation from Messi’s current club Paris Saint-Germain, who noted simply that he was under contract until June 30.