Revealed: The unbelievable figure Lionel Messi was offered to move to Saudi Pro League before Argentina hero signed for Inter Miami

Messi was targeted by the Saudi Pro League after Paris Saint-Germain confirmed the Argentina international was set to leave the club when his contract expired in 2023. Former club Barcelona were also linked with a move for Messi before he finally opted for a new challenge in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.

Saudi Pro League clubs have managed to snap up a host of huge names in recent years including superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema. Messi was also wanted in the Middle East with Al-Ittihad president Anmar Al Haili revealing just how much money his club were willing to offer the Argentine to move to Saudi Arabia.

Al Haili told NIBC: "We actually contacted Messi at the end of his contract in Paris. We presented him with an offer of €1.4 billion, but the player refused because his family wanted America. It is surprising that the player was able to refuse such a huge offer for the sake of his family. He managed to convince his family, but he did not hesitate to refuse. We respect this, because family is more important than money."

Messi has gone on to thrive in MLS, winning the Leagues Cup and helping fire Miami to the top of the current Eastern Conference standings. The Argentina star has also admitted recently he expects Inter Miami to be his last club before he finally opts to hang up his boots. Meanwhile, Saudi teams continue to target top stars, with players such as Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne and Virgil van Dijk emerging as new targets for big-spending clubs.