Lionel Messi available for loan – with Saudi Arabia ready to reignite rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo: report

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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo endured a decade-long rivalry in Spain - and could be set to compete against each other in the Middle East

Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain and Cristiano Ronaldo of Ruyadh XI fight for possession during the friendly match between Paris Saint-Germain and Riyadh XI at King Fahd International Stadium on January 19, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could reunite their rivalry in the Saudi Pro League in the coming months, with the Argentine reportedly being lined up for an imminent loan move. 

With Inter Miami failing to reach the MLS playoffs, their last game of the season will finish on October 21 against Charlotte. Messi, therefore, won't be playing for the Florida-based outfit until the end of February, when the 2024 campaign kicks off. 

As a result, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) are reportedly working on a deal to bring Messi to the Middle East on a temporary basis. 

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham watches Lionel Messi in action against Cruz Azul in July 2023.

Messi opted against moving to Saudi Arabia in the summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to Sky Sports' Rudy Galetti, the deal would ensure Messi doesn't miss a minute of football with Inter Miami, and would be a move akin to David Beckham's short forays at AC Milan and PSG a decade ago while playing for LA Galaxy. 

Prior to joining Inter Miami in the summer, Messi had three options available to him: re-sign for Barcelona, move to MLS, or take up a lucrative offer from Al-Hilal. 

Obviously, he ended up opting for Miami, but that hasn't stopped Saudi Arabia from continuing their interest in bringing the 36-year-old to the country - even if it's just for a brief period. 

Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Real Madrid Barcelona

Ronaldo and Messi could be playing against each other once again (Image credit: PA)

Messi pitching up in the Saudi Pro League would also see him lock horns once again with Cristiano Ronaldo, as part of a rivalry that lasted for more than a decade during their times playing against each other for Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively. 

Ronaldo has already bagged 10 goals in eight matches this season for Al-Nassr, too, and is showing no signs of letting up as he targets playing in the 2026 World Cup for Portugal - at the grand old age of 41. 

More Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stories 

Emi Martinez says that Lionel Messi is the only player in history to complete football, following their World Cup 2022 win together. 

The Argentine is no longer the highest-rated player on EA Sports FC 24 - which is the first time in 15 years that neither he nor Ronaldo are the best player in the game. 

Can you name the 27 footballers to have been team-mates with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi? 

Ryan Dabbs
Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.