Much more than anyone, it appears that the Saudi Pro League will stop at almost nothing to relive the Lionel Messi-Ronaldo rivalry again. Al Hilal had once made a remarkable offer to entice Messi, reportedly offering an astonishing €400 million per year. However, Messi ultimately had different plans when he chose the MLS, playing for Inter Miami, where he’s had an incredible start.
Saudi Arabia is not giving up on Lionel Messi just yet. Inter Miami’s recent defeat and non-participation in the playoffs may have reopened the opportunity for Saudi clubs to have a go at landing the 36-year-old World Cup winner.
Saudi Arab reportedly preparing a loan offer for Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has been in exceptional form since joining David Beckham’s Inter Miami during the summer, scoring an impressive 11 goals in his first 11 matches and playing a pivotal role in the team winning their first-ever trophy in MLS.
In a sign of his commitment to the club, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner invested in a $10.8 million mansion in Florida back in September, suggesting his intention to remain with Inter Miami for the foreseeable future. However, reports indicate that Saudi Arabia is not giving up on the idea of signing the Argentine superstar and is exploring the possibility of bringing him to the Middle East on a loan deal during the winter transfer window.
According to Rudy Galetti from Skysports, the Saudi Pro League is seriously evaluating the possibility of Lionel Messi joining the league.
If such a move were to materialize, Messi would renew his historic rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
In terms of logistics, a loan move would seem most practical, especially considering that the MLS season concludes at the end of February, providing Messi with nearly five months of off-season rest.
The report also highlights that signing the World Cup-winning superstar is regarded as a significant and strategic move by the Public Investment Fund.
Tata Martino speaking on the uncertainty about Messi’s future and other speculations about a sensational return to Barcelona, said;
“Messi to Barcelona? It won’t be for a walk, right?
“The truth is that this surprises me. I don’t know anything. If they tell me that he’s going to visit Barcelona on vacation, then yes, It’s probable. The truth is that I don’t know.”
When is Lionel Messi’s next Inter Miami game?
Lionel Messi made his comeback after being sidelined for five out of the past six games due to a hamstring injury. He made a 35-minute appearance off the bench in a match against FC Cincinnati, but unfortunately, it ended in a 1-0 loss for Inter Miami, which also eliminated them from postseason contention.
During his time on the field, Messi had limited impact, with his most notable moments being two free-kick attempts. One occurred in the 58th minute, and the other came in stoppage time, but both attempts sailed well above Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano’s crossbar.
Tata Martino, on why he played Lionel Messi for only 35 minutes, said, “His injury is healed, but his rhythm was just off. He hasn’t played much; that’s why I only played him 35 minutes.”
Messi, after that defeat, will now leave the US for Argentina on International duty. They have a home game against Praguay on the 17th of October.
After his international break, Lionel Messi is set to miss Inter Miami’s upcoming game on October 18, which is a rescheduled match against Charlotte FC. However, there is a possibility that he may return to the squad for the rematch in North Carolina three days later, which is on the final day of the regular season. His availability will depend on his recovery from the hamstring injury and the team’s assessment of his fitness.
