Lionel Messi has accepted offer from Al-Hilal: report

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Lionel Messi has accepted a huge offer from Saudi Araian side Al-Hilal, which will make him the best-paid footballer ever

Lionel Messi during PSG's Ligue 1 match against Brest in March 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lionel Messi has agreed a deal with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal worth over a billion pounds.

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker and 2022 World Cup winner is widely rumoured to be leaving Ligue 1 after two years this summer. Les Parisiens have failed to venture past the quarter-finals of the Champions League with the Argentine in tow and fan unrest is an all-time high over the running of the club.

Neymar is also set to leave the club, following 100 fans gathering outside his house chanting "Neymar, get out". PSG's 'Ultras' supporters’ collective have also issued a statement criticising "parasite players".

Lionel Messi has been offered a bumper Al-Hilal deal – but may yet turn it down for Barcelona

Lionel Messi during PSG's Ligue 1 game against Auxerre in May 2021.

Lionel Messi is set to leave PSG (Image credit: Getty Images)

Lionel Messi was suspended by PSG, following an unscheduled trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this season. The Flea is an ambassador for the country.

Now, Santi Aouna of FootMercato is claiming that Messi's father, Jorge, has accepted an offer from the Saudi Pro League for his son to become the highest-paid player in the sport. Messi will earn a staggering €1.2 billion in two years, should he take the contract. 

The deal would also reunite Messi with long-time arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who is already based in the Middle East with Al-Nassr. 

Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected during an Al Nassr game in April 2023.

Cristiano Ronaldo is already in the Saudi Pro League (Image credit: Getty Images)

Messi is said to still be interested in a return to Barcelona, according to the report, but has reservations over his former club's finances. The Catalan outfit would likely have to sell multiple players in order to finance a deal. 

The contract offered by Al-Hilal is said to be worth double Ronaldo's at Al-Nassr.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.