According to Al-Hilal President, Lionel Messi turned down a multibillion-dollar offer from Al-Hilal to join Inter Miami in the summer of 2023.

After his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired in the summer of 2023, Lionel Messi had to make a significant decision regarding his professional future.

Al-Hilal, a Saudi Pro League team, made the Argentine superstar an enormous offer that included a salary of up to 1.4 billion euros. Anmar Al Haili, club president, gave NIBC the following information on the offer: “We presented Messi with a 1.4 billion euro offer. However, he declined since his family was eager to travel to America.”

It’s astonishing that Messi’s family allows him to turn down such a substantial deal. Despite his best efforts to persuade his family, he remained steadfast in his resolve. We honor this because nothing is more vital than family.”

Messi turned down joining Al Hilal to face Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. Photo: The Mirror.

Al-Hilal’s generous offer is a part of Saudi Arabia’s aim to increase the appeal of their league on a worldwide scale. Saudi clubs have been spending billions of dollars to entice the best talents in the globe thanks to their oil-rich wealth.

Messi will play alongside well-known colleagues like Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, with whom he had many fond memories at Barcelona and PSG, if he accepts.

At the Saudi Arabian championship, Lionel Messi might also run into his longtime nemesis, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi, who has been an ambassador for Saudi Arabia for a long time, had previously thought about playing there. In December 2023, he said to Time Magazine, “I know the country.” They have established a formidable league that may gain significance soon. What matters to me is: MLS or Saudi Arabia? These are both really intriguing choices.”

Messi decided to join Inter Miami because of “family wishes”. Photo: Getty Images.

Messi, however, ultimately chose to sign with Inter Miami of the United States Major League Soccer in lieu of joining the Saudi Pro League. While the annual pay offered here is only 50–60 million euros, far less than what Al-Hilal is offering, it is still more in line with his family’s preferences.

Messi has been playing exceptionally well since joining Inter Miami, helping the team win the Leagues Cup and holding the top spot in the MLS Eastern rankings right now. The 36-year-old athlete also recently stated that he hopes to play one more season with Inter Miami before retiring.

During this summer’s transfer window, Saudi Arabia is still working to entice other stars like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, and others.