REVEALED: When can Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi next play each other, with PSG star’s Saudi move ‘DONE’?
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could share the pitch once again as early as this summer following reports that the latter’s move Saudi Arabia is a ‘done deal’.
Ronaldo controversially completed a move to Saudi side Al-Nassr in December last year, following his acrimonious exit from Manchester United, and he could soon be joined in the Middle East by his great rival.
Messi, 35, will reportedly sign a massive contract worth £522million with Saudi side Al-Hilal, according to French outlet AFP, who state a source close to the negotiations confirmed the ‘huge’ move on Tuesday morning.
Mail Sport earlier on Tuesday reported that his Messi’s wife, Antonela, ‘could not imagine’ moving their family, including their young children, to Saudi Arabia, however, in a potential stumbling block to the move.
Meanwhile, L’Equipe report that nothing is yet signed, though stating a verbal agreement has been reached – which Messi’s entourage have since reportedly rejected.
Forward Lionel Messi’s move to Saudi Arabia this summer is a ‘done deal’, according to reports
The 35-year-old Argentine could soon find himself up against great rival Cristiano Ronaldo
Messi, despite currently serving a two-week suspension, remains focused on the task at hand with PSG’s Ligue 1 title bid not yet over the line, but his father Jorge has already informed the club they won’t be accepting an offer for another year’s contract.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s joint bid for the 2030 World Cup, is therefore strongly expected to leave PSG when his contract ends on June 30 – and he could soon be back in competitive action.
Al-Hilal, who currently sit fourth in the Saudi Pro League, will continue their campaign once domestic football has finished, taking part in the 2023 King Salman Club Cup – previously named the Arab Club Champions Cup.
The tournament will see 37 teams from Asia and Africa participate, with a preliminary round already complete and a qualifying process underway. The final tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, with a prize of around $10million on offer for the winner.
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