According to a source close to the negotiations, Lionel Messi, the Argentine football superstar, is set to play in Saudi Arabia next season under a “huge” deal.
The contract is said to be exceptional and negotiations are in the final stages.
Messi’s current club, Paris Saint-Germain, has noted that he remains under contract until June 30th.
The deal is being bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds with over $620 billion in assets.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s arch-rival, joined Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in January in a deal said to be worth over $439 million, making him the world’s highest-paid athlete according to Forbes.
Both Ronaldo’s and Messi’s deals are being funded by the PIF.
Ronaldo’s arrival has not had the desired impact on the pitch for Al Nassr, as they have lost their top spot in the Saudi Pro League table and are out of the running in the King’s Cup and Super Cup.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
