It is said that Saudi Arabia reject an opportunity to bring Lionel Messi to the Saudi Pro League for a short-term stint ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mahd Sports Academy CEO Abdullah Hammad said that during the last Club World Cup, Messi’s representatives reached out with a proposal for a temporary move that would keep the Argentine captain fit while the MLS goes on a nearly four-month break. “The player wanted to remain in shape and prepare himself for the upcoming World Cup,” Hammad told Saudi platform Thmanyah.
Speaking of the idea, he said it was like when David Beckham was loaned to AC Milan while he was still under contract with LA Galaxy in 2010. On the other hand, Hammad mentioned that the proposal was rejected by the minister of sports of Saudi Arabia. “The minister pointed out that the Saudi league would not be a platform where players prepare for other tournaments,” he said, confirming that the offer was declined.
Messi, who has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, moved to Inter Miami in 2023 after parting ways with Paris Saint-Germain. The decision of Saudi Arabia was not to bring Messi on a short-term basis despite its growing football profile, which has been supported by Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema.
