Saudi Pro League ‘to allow more foreign players in bid to lure Lionel Messi’
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Lionel Messi is a ‘top target for multiple Saudi clubs’… with the Pro League set to ‘change its rules to allow MORE foreign players’ in a bid to tempt the Argentine star to the Middle East to join his long-term rival term. Cristiano Ronaldo
- The Saudi Pro League is ready to increase the limit on the number of foreign players
- They want their clubs to be able to sign more European soccer stars
- PSG striker Lionel Messi is in the crosshairs of several Saudi clubs
The Saudi Pro League is set to adjust its rules in a bid to lure Lionel Messi to the Middle East to join his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, according to reports.
Ronaldo signed a £175m-a-year deal with Al-Nassr last month, and Saudi Arabia’s top division has now set its sights on signing Messi as well.
Saudi clubs are currently allowed to register seven foreign players, but that number will rise to eight to allow more stars from Europe to play in the league, as reported by ESPN.
Argentine and PSG star Lionel Messi is wanted by several Saudi clubs
The Saudi Pro League is set to increase its foreign player limit in a bid to land Messi
Messi is the biggest star in Europe right now, fresh off winning the World Cup with Argentina, and would be a top target for several clubs in Saudi Arabia, according to the report.
The 35-year-old is currently considering his club’s future as his contract with French champions PSG is due to expire at the end of the season.
He seemed ready to agree a new one-year contract after agreeing terms with the club, but is now reconsidering his options.
This offers hope to Saudi Pro League clubs as they search for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, and he has been linked with a move to the Middle East in recent weeks.
Messi’s father and agent Jorge was rumored to have been in Riyadh earlier this month to discuss a possible deal with Al-Hilal, who are reportedly willing to offer Messi £245m a year, making him the highest paid player in the world.
Messi could reignite his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo if he moves to the Saudi Pro League
Other reports have also claimed that Al-Ittihad is happy to trump this proposal by giving Messi £306m a year.
If Messi accepts either of these offers, it would reignite his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, with the two best players of their generation facing off once again in Saudi Arabia.
Messi and Ronaldo were on the pitch last week in Riyadh when they took part in a friendly between PSG and the Saudi All-Star XI.
Messi scored the first goal of the game, but it was dwarfed by Ronaldo who scored twice, although it was PSG who took the 5-4 win.
That match looked to potentially be the last time Messi and Ronaldo would play each other, but that may no longer be the case as the Saudi Pro League looks to make it easier to bring in players from Europe in the future.