A source close to Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi reported that "Messi has received an official offer to join the Saudi Al Hilal club for the next season." The source added that "the offer presented by the Saudi club is the only offer Messi has received so far." Argentine media indicated that "the value of the offer is about 400 million dollars annually." Al Hilal did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside of regular working hours.
Media reports have linked Messi to "the possibility of returning to his childhood club Barcelona," and mentioned that "the American club Inter Miami could be a potential destination for Messi."
Another source close to Messi stated that "PSG punished him with suspension after the forward informed the French club that he would not continue in Paris after this season and felt that the club lacked a project," adding that Paris Saint-Germain did not have any training scheduled last Monday and that the decision to hold a training session was made only after Messi was already in Saudi Arabia.
A source close to Paris Saint-Germain denied this, telling Reuters that "Messi traveled without permission from the French club despite a training session being scheduled for Monday." It is noted that Messi visited the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Monday with his family after receiving an attractive offer to play in the Saudi league. Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb posted a series of photos of Messi and his family during the visit, expressing his happiness and welcoming the family. Messi has been a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia since May of last year and played a match with Paris Saint-Germain against stars from Al Nasr and Al Hilal in January of this year.
