‎Lionel Messi linked with Saudi Pro League move as Inter Miami contract nears end

By: Shawn
‎As Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami enters its final stages, speculation is intensifying over a potential reunion with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo — this time in the Saudi Pro League. According to multiple sources, including TEAMtalk, representatives from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) have reportedly reopened discussions with Messi’s camp about a blockbuster transfer.
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Lionel Messi in talks for Saudi Pro League move as Inter Miami deal nears end—could reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo in blockbuster transfer.
‎Getty Images Sport (2)
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‎The Argentine icon turned down a move to the Middle East in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, opting instead for a high-profile switch to Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. In an interview with TIME Magazine, Messi admitted he was “thinking a lot” about the Saudi Pro League at the time, praising the country’s rapid football development and his role as a tourism ambassador.
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‎Messi’s current MLS contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season, though a one-year extension remains on the table. However, with no formal agreement in place, the door remains open for a free transfer from July 1.
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‎The PIF’s renewed interest signals Saudi Arabia’s continued ambition to attract global football icons, having already brought in stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and Karim Benzema. The four major PIF-backed clubs — Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli — are all reportedly under consideration as possible destinations should Messi decide to make the move.
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‎“Nothing is advanced yet,” reports claim, “but the door is open.” Messi’s potential arrival would mark the first time he and Ronaldo share a domestic league since their electrifying duels in Spain’s La Liga, which ended in 2018.
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‎With Ronaldo currently reassessing his own future in the Saudi Pro League, a Messi move could spark a new chapter in their legendary rivalry — one that could transform the football landscape in the Middle East.
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‎As negotiations remain fluid, all eyes will be on Messi’s next move — and whether football fans around the world could once again witness the two icons compete side by side, this time in Saudi Arabia.

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