When Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could play in Saudi Arabia
REVEALED: When can Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play each other again, with the PSG star’s Saudi move ‘READY’?
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could be back on the pitch this summer after reports the latter’s move to Saudi Arabia is a ‘done deal’.
Ronaldo controversially completed a move to Saudi side Al-Nassr in December last year, following his acrimonious departure from Manchester United, and could soon be joined by his great rival in the Middle East.
Messi, 35, will reportedly sign a massive £522 million contract with Saudi side Al-Hilal, according to the French outlet AFPwho, according to a source close to the negotiations, confirmed the “huge” move Tuesday morning.
Mail Sport reported earlier on Tuesday that Messi’s wife, Antonela, “couldn’t imagine” moving their family, including their young children, to Saudi Arabia, which could be a potential stumbling block to the move.
Meanwhile, L’Equipe reports that nothing has been signed yet, although a verbal agreement has been reached – which Messi’s entourage since reportedly rejected.
Striker Lionel Messi’s move to Saudi Arabia this summer is reportedly a ‘done deal’
The 35-year-old Argentinian can soon compete against great rival Cristiano Ronaldo
Despite currently serving a two-week suspension, Messi remains focused on the task at hand as PSG’s Ligue 1 title contender is yet to be finalized, but his father Jorge has already informed the club that they will not accept another year’s offer contract will accept. .
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s joint bid for the 2030 World Cup, is therefore expected to leave PSG when his contract expires on June 30 – and he could return to competitive action soon .
Al-Hilal, who is currently fourth in the Saudi Pro League, will continue his campaign once domestic football has ended and will participate in the 2023 King Salman Club Cup – formerly called the Arab Club Champions Cup.
The tournament will feature 37 teams from Asia and Africa, with a preliminary round already completed and a qualification process underway. The final tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, with a prize of approximately $10 million for the winner.
Both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal automatically qualified for the group stage, which begins on July 20 and ends on July 27. However, they are in different groups and can only play against each other until the knockouts.
Messi and Ronaldo could face each other at the King Salman Club Cup this summer
The World Cup winner is already a tourism ambassador for the controversial Middle Eastern country
Messi and his wife Antonela (left) recently visited Saudi Arabia with their sons Ciro and Mateo (pictured) as part of his duties as tourism ambassador to the Middle Eastern country
The quarter-finals will be played on July 30, the semi-finals on August 2 and the final on August 5. Ronaldo and Messi will undoubtedly take center stage when the teams meet.
Messi may not be the only former Barcelona star to be seen with a Spanish outlet El Chiringuito He reports that he can be joined at Al-Hilal by Sergio Busquets, who will accept a contract for two seasons, and possibly Jordi Alba.
Al-Hilal, who play at the 68,752-capacity King Fahd International Stadium, won the league title last season, but this season has fallen behind leaders Al-Ittihad and second-placed Al-Nassr. .
The Saudi squad can boast Argentine striker Luciano Vietto, Peruvian winger Andre Carrillo and strikers Odion Ighalo – formerly of Manchester United – and Moussa Marega.