Lionel Messi to reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Pro League? Transfer talks opened with Argentine superstar as contract in MLS with Inter Miami runs down

Argentine superstar Messi had the option to move to the Middle East when leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 and told TIME Magazine of ultimately favouring a switch to Inter Miami in MLS: “I was thinking a lot about going to the Saudi league. I know the country and they have created a very powerful competition that can become an important league in the near future.

“As the country’s tourism ambassador, it was a destination that attracted me, especially because I’ve enjoyed everything I have visited, because of how football is growing in the country and because of the effort they are putting into creating a top competition. It was Saudi Arabia or MLS, and both options seemed very interesting to me.”

Messi has claimed more trophies and MVP recognition in the United States, but will see his contract in South Florida expire at the end of the 2025 season. There has been talk of a 12-month extension option being triggered.

No agreement has been reached there as yet - meaning that he could sign for a new club as a free agent from July 1 - and TEAMtalk claims that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) has “reopened discussions” with Messi and his representatives as potential interest is sounded out.

It is claimed that “nothing is advanced yet, but the door is open”. There have been no discussions regarding which team Messi could join, with Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad all available options.

It is said that “PIF wants to understand Messi’s intentions”. If he were to agree a stunning switch to Saudi Arabia, then he could find himself in the same division as eternal rival Ronaldo - who is mulling over his own future options - for the first time since 2018.