Lionel Messi to join Inter Miami after rejecting Saudi Arabia move and Barcelona
Lionel Messi will snub a world record offer from Saudi Arabia to join Inter Miami.
The Argentina international has rejected Saudi side Al-Hilal and a return to Barcelona to join the MLS side co-owned by England and Manchester United legend David Beckham.
The 35-year-old, whose contract at Paris Saint-Germain will expire at the end of the month, was offered the most lucrative contract in football as part of the region’s attempts to bring the biggest names in the sport to the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Hilal’s offer was reportedly worth an astonishing £369million-a-year, more than double what Cristiano Ronaldo is earning at Al-Nassr.
Barcelona have also attempted to bring the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner back to the club having shattered club records during his 17 years at the Camp Nou.
But Messi is now poised to join Inter Miami to see out the remainder of his playing years.
Messi’s deal will include collaborations from brands like Adidas and Apple, according to BBC Sport.
Messi’s father and agent and Barcelona president Joan Laporta met on a number of occasions to discuss the World Cup winner’s return, having left the club in 2021.
‘Leo wants to return to Barca and I would like him to return too,’ Messi’s father Jorge told Jijantes on Monday. ‘We trust that Leo can return. I don’t know anything yet.
‘He would love it (to return to Barça). We already spoke the other day (with Laporta). Of course you would like to come back. We have to talk about millions of things but he would love to come back.’
Reports in Spain suggest potential complications over registering the legendary no10 amid the club’s financial uncertainty may have impacted their efforts to re-sign him.
Clubs in Saudi meanwhile have made signifcant moves in recent weeks to sign some of football’s most established stars.
Real Madrid legend became the latest star of he gme to head to Saudi this week, joining champions Al-Ittihad with Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante thought to be close to joining his compatriot at the club.
Premier League stars Ilkay Gundogan and Wilfried Zaha have also been targeted.
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