Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba linked with switch to Al-Hilal

The Argentine's contract expires with PSG after the end of season and his future remains uncertain

Lionel Messi's present and past colleagues would also reportedly be signed by Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Hilal as part of any serious offer they make for him.

Messi's contract with Paris Saint-Germain is about to expire, and it is unclear where he will play football in the upcoming season.

Since the World Cup, there has been much discussion about Messi's career in football due to the fact that his PSG contract expires at the end of the current campaign. Although a number of teams, particularly Inter Miami and a move back to Barcelona, have been linked to the Argentina captain, it now seems that he has decided on another team.

With this move, Messi would once again meet Ronaldo, reigniting their rivalry in the Middle East. The 38-year-old would also suffer if Busquets joined the Argentine because Al-Nassr had intended to sign him separately.

With Messi's ex-Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba joining him, as well as a potential bid for PSG midfielder Marco Verratti, Al-Hilal now appears prepared to make an all-out effort to persuade Messi to join.

It will be curious to find out if this significant effort succeeds in persuading Messi to end his professional career in Europe relatively early.

Following the Ligue 1 loss to Lorient last week, Messi took an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia and was punished by PSG with a two-week suspension and fine. Although he returned to training this week, if the club adheres to their first punishment, he might not participate in the game this weekend.

Last Friday, Messi expressed regret for his behaviour and claimed he made an honest mistake in thinking the team had the day off.

The international player from Argentina, who only recently won the World Cup after displaying some spectacular play in the competition in Qatar last winter, will turn 36 this summer and no longer appears to be at the peak of his abilities.

Football romantics surely prefer to see Messi return to Barcelona, but might he be starting in Saudi Arabia among famous players like Busquets, Alba, and Verratti?