Author: Soorya G
The 35-year-old, however, is focused on staying in Europe and believes he is still one of the best.
Argentine legend Lionel Messi is the latest high-profile recipient of a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League, with the World Cup winner receiving an unprecedented $400 million a year from Al-Hilal, according to various reports. Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, who broke the news, said that Messi’s team had already received a formal offer from the Saudi side, but had not made any decision on the matter.
If the news of the offer is true and Messi decides to join Al-Hilal, he will be the highest paid player in the world by a considerable margin. Cristiano Ronaldo currently holds the record, earning $225 million a year from Al-Nassr.
Lionel Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the season, and the striker is still undecided about his future. Although he was keen to stay in the French capital for another season a few months ago, his opinion seems to have changed recently.
Messi has formally received a contract extension offer from PSG, but has yet to respond as he is believed to be in doubt about the club’s sporting aspirations. With reports that Kylian Mbappé and Neymar Jr. are also considering their futures, Messi could be eyeing a move during the summer.
The Argentine maestro is also unhappy with the lack of appreciation shown to him by PSG fans, who have recently subjected him to some unfavorable treatment while on the pitch.
Messi is also dissatisfied with the soccer side of things, as the club has failed to achieve any of the goals it set out to achieve, the main one being Champions League glory. PSG have been weak at best in the Champions League, as evidenced by their back-to-back eliminations in the round of 16 against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Even if Messi leaves, he has apparently decided to stay in Europe because he feels he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level of soccer. After quashing rumors of his retirement after the World Cup, Messi seems to be carrying on with the same workload. A return to Barcelona has been much talked about, in the media and in the news, with rumors that the striker has also been offered a contract by Barcelona. Barcelona’s offer totals around US$200 million, but it’s interesting.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta plans to sign up the former player on a minimum wage contract, in addition to what he will receive in revenue from merchandise sales and media rights. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is believed to be excited about the opportunity to return to the club where he spent almost 20 years before leaving in difficult circumstances. Offers from Manchester City for a possible reunion with Pep Guardiola remain rumors, but it could be a possibility as Messi remains eager to stay in Europe.
Should Messi change his mind, however, the Saudi Arabian champions have made an offer that is far beyond lucrative and is around double what his great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, currently earns. Like his Portuguese compatriot, Messi’s potential salary structure also involves merchandise sales and media rights. The little magician has a number of options ahead of him, and it remains to be seen what he will decide.