Saudi Arabia is preparing to offer soccer star Lionel Messi a $400 million annual contract to play with the Saudi Pro League this summer, the Telegraph reported.
The deal, which is being negotiated by Messi’s father, would far exceed the more than $200 million deal signed by Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Saudi Arabia until the summer of 2025.
The deal, which is being negotiated by Messi’s father, would far exceed the more than $200 million deal signed by Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Saudi Arabia until the summer of 2025.
The Argentine World Cup champion was suspended by his current club Paris Saint-Germain for two weeks on Tuesday after traveling to Saudi Arabia without permission from the organization.
Messi had previously agreed to a deal in principle to stay with PSG but following the disciplinary action he will not renew his contract, the BBC have reported.
This signing is Saudi Arabia’s latest move to shake up the world of professional sport. Apart from the recent signing of Ronaldo, the country has funded the LIV golf league and its sovereign wealth fund has bought Premier League club Newcastle United.
