Saudi Arabia put together ‘critical’ Messi supply to reignite Ronaldo rivalry

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo might be set for one final dance with a possible mortgage transfer to the Saudi Pro League on the playing cards. Messi has as soon as once more been linked to hitch Saudi Arabia’s soccer league simply months after rejecting their advances and transferring to MLS franchise Inter Miami.

As arguably the best soccer stars of all time, Messi and Ronaldo have received all of it. The pair have 12 Ballon d’Or titles between them, quite a few Champions League wins and numerous particular person accolades after nearly 20 years at soccer’s highest degree.

The pair loved 9 years collectively in La Liga throughout one of many fiercest sporting rivalries in historical past, regardless of each gamers having nice admiration for each other. Both stars made for field workplace viewings week after week with each Real Madrid and Barcelona dominating world soccer.

The period resulted in 2018 when Ronaldo known as time on his profession in Spain and sought a transfer to Italian large Juventus. But a lot to followers delight the duo might be opponents, or teammates, in line with stories in Saudi Arabia.

According to sources from Saudi newspaper Al-Bilad, Messi is as soon as once more of curiosity to a soccer workforce owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. The report claims {that a} mortgage choice is being thought-about which might see Messi and Ronaldo gracing the identical fields after nearly 5 years.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund at present owns 4 soccer golf equipment which narrows down Messi’s choices. The golf equipment below the PIF possession are Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli.

Either workforce would see the World Cup winner play amongst some acquainted faces, together with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad, Neymar at Al-Hilal and Roberto Firmino and Ryad Mahrez at Al-Ahli.

This would not be the primary time a Saudi Pro League aspect sought to deliver Messi to the ever-expanding league. Following Messi’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine was pursued by Al-Hilal which might now see him be part of former Barcelona and PSG teammate Neymar if he had been to maneuver.

The supply on the time, in line with COPE journalist Helena Condis, would have seen the 36-year-old earn a staggering €500 million ($522.5 million) per season and over $1 billion on a three-year deal. In comparability, Ronaldo’s wage is a reported $217 million per 12 months, nearly $300 million much less.

Despite the stories, Messi seems to be in no hurry to go away Inter Miami with the membership on the verge of lifting its first trophy. Miami has reached the Leagues Cup closing which can see the 36-year-old hope to carry his first piece of silverware in opposition to Nashville SC on Saturday night.