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Messi is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) when his contract expires this summer, with a move to the middle east in the offing.
Saudi Arabia Professional League (SPL) club Al Hilal are set to pay a record-breaking sum to sign Lionel Messi this summer.
Messi’s future is currently a subject of debate, with the World Cup winner set to leave PSG this summer.
Messi to leave PSG in the summer
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22:22 - 03.04.2023
Messi treatment an insult to football says French World Cup winner
French World champion speaks out against PSG’s treatment of Lionel Messi
The Argentina captain joined PSG in 2021 after spending over 17 years with Barcelona. Messi won the Ligue 1 title this year but has endured a disappointing season with Les Parisiens in his second year.
Although PSG were initially keen on renewing Messi’s contract, the board decided against that after the World Cup winner was whistled in the club’s 1-0 home defeat to Lyon, meaning Messi is free to leave in the summer.
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Barcelona are currently leading the race to sign the Argentina international, with the LaLiga giants keen on resigning their greatest player.
Al-Hilal to pay Messi double of Ronaldo's salary
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13:25 - 31.03.2023
Xavi reveals Barcelona 'working on' Messi return
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has confirmed the club’s interest in bringing Lionel Messi back to the Camp Nou
However, Barcelona will have to battle Al Hilal in their quest to sign the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Saudi Arabian club are interested in signing Messi and are ready to offer him the biggest salary in sporting history, €400m/year.
Messi’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the highest-paid athlete in the world after sealing a €200m/year deal with Al Nassr following his exit from Manchester United.
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However, Al Nassr’s rivals Al Hilal are ready to double that amount to sign Messi. Should Messi accept the offer, the Argentine will link up with Super Eagles star Odion Ighalo, who is currently Al Hilal’s top marksman.
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Nonetheless, it looks unlikely as reports claim that Messi is not interested in a move to Saudi Arabia, as he wants to continue his career in Europe.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have already prepared a series of 'levers' to lure the Argentine back to the club where he began his professional career.
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