$400 million per year? Messi’s Saudi move is close

Messi close to signing the most lucrative deal in football history – Saudi Al Hilal offering $400M a year

The Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal FC is reportedly on the verge of offering the most lucrative contract in the history of football. Fairytale conditions in the desert kingdom are already being prepared for Lionel Messi.

Rivals reunited for a title chase in their twilight years? Portuguese football phenomenon Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing in Saudi Arabia for five months now with Al-Nassr FC, where his €200 million-per-year deal makes him the highest-paid footballer on the planet. However, that elite status might soon be challenged. The Saudi kingdom is reportedly on the verge of acquiring Ronaldo's eternal rival – Argentine star Lionel Messi. According to AFP, Messi’s move to the Middle East is practically a done deal. The agency cites an anonymous source familiar with the negotiations: “Messi's transfer is finalized. He will play in Saudi Arabia next season. The contract is exceptional. It's huge. We're just finalizing the last minor details,” the source told AFP, without naming the club.

Nonetheless, clues have emerged in recent days. Messi is expected to join Al Hilal FC, the recently defeated finalist of the AFC Champions League and 18-time league champion, based in Riyadh.

One of the greatest footballers in history certainly has something to look forward to. Al Hilal FC is reportedly offering Messi a mega-deal worth $400 million per year. Such a surreal salary would be unprecedented, as no footballer has ever earned this much annually for playing the sport.

“Of course, legendary players like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi can only be drawn to Saudi Arabia by massive contracts. On the other hand, having both these icons playing in the same league would be a huge success for the Saudi Pro League,” commented sports analyst Jozef Tokos for Economic Daily.

Currently, the most valuable player in the Saudi Pro League is Cristiano Ronaldo, whose market valuation is a staggering €20 million, even at 38 years old. Messi’s market value is even higher — approximately €45 million.

Interestingly, if Messi does indeed join Al Hilal next season, his individual market value would surpass that of the entire rest of the team combined. The current Al Hilal FC squad has a combined valuation of €39.65 million. At 35 years old, and with his otherworldly abilities, Messi’s move to Saudi Arabia may be perceived by some fans as a step back from competitive ambition.

Still, the prospect of watching Messi and Ronaldo face off once again in competitive league action would be a priceless treat for fans worldwide. Their legendary rivalry never loses its appeal.

“Messi and Ronaldo have always been rivals, but I’ve never sensed any personal animosity between them. They don’t seek each other out, which is natural — but they do respect one another. So do I think Messi is going to Saudi Arabia to prove he’s better than Ronaldo there too? I don’t think so. Of course, both will still want to win on the pitch,” Tokos added. (...)