Al-Hilal are on the verge of announcing the signing of Lionel Messi, according to reports, and could announce the World Cup winner’s arrival as soon as Tuesday, it has been reported.
Messi has confirmed that he will be leaving Paris Saint Germain this summer, and played his last game for the club on Saturday as the French Champions fell to a shock 3-2 defeat to Clermont Foot. Booed by the PSG fans, his departure has been long in the works, but his next destination remains unclear.
Lionel Messi booed coming out for PSG’s title celebrations… 😳 pic.twitter.com/5sphFVxBIr
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 4, 2023
He has strongly been linked with a return to Barcelona, and Xavi has admitted that he would love to add his former teammate to his squad this summer.
“I’d really like Leo to come back, he knows that and I’ve already spoken to him,” he said. “It depends a bit on him. I am expectant and I would be especially excited if he came back.
“Wherever he has gone, things have gone well for him. He could help us in many ways, but it’s more his decision and I would understand any scenario. As a Culé I would also like him back very much.”
Another option, however, is a move to Saudi Arabia, where he has been courted by Al-Hilal and could join Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo in completing big-money moves to the middle east.
Should he move, Al Hilal are reportedly ready to ‘offer him 400 million euros per season’ to leave Europe behind, which would make him the highest paid player in football history.
