L'Arabie Saoudite Rejette une Offre de Prêt de Courte Durée de Lionel Messi
Saudi Arabia rejected a proposal from Lionel Messi that would have seen the Argentine star join the Saudi Pro League on a short loan during the Major League Soccer (MLS) off-season, a sports executive in the kingdom has revealed.
Abdullah Hammad, CEO of the Mahd Sports Academy, explained that the Argentine's representatives had contacted Saudi authorities during the last Club World Cup. The idea was to allow Messi to maintain his fitness during the nearly four-month winter break of the American league, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
"The Saudi Pro League is not a training ground."
Hammad clarified that he had forwarded the proposal to the Minister of Sports, who declined it. "The Minister made it clear that the Saudi Pro League would not be used as a training ground for other competitions," he stated, emphasizing that the offer was rejected.
The Saudi official also highlighted the difference in approach between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He noted that the latter had "taken on a real sporting challenge" by joining Al Nassr in 2022, while Messi, despite having set conditions for a potential transfer, reportedly sought to maintain his connection with FC Barcelona.
After leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi recently extended his contract with the MLS club until 2028.
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