Saudi Pro League turns down Lionel Messi's short-term proposal

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :October 30, 2025 at 10:18 PM

Modified at :November 1, 2025 at 3:30 AM

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

The Argentine star was pursued by the Saudi Pro League when he left PSG.

According to a top sports source, the Saudi Arabia FA turned down a bid to sign Lionel Messi for a brief stay in the Saudi Pro League before the 2026 World Cup the following year.

“During the last Club World Cup, Messi’s team contacted me and offered for him to play in Saudi Arabia because the MLS will stop for nearly four months,” Abdullah Hammad, CEO of the Mahd Sports Academy, said during a podcast with Saudi platform Thmanyah.

“The player wanted to remain in shape and prepare himself for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. This happened with David Beckham when he was with Los Angeles Galaxy and went to AC Milan (in 2010),” he added.

Eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi, who had been rumoured to be moving to Saudi Arabia, moved to MLS’s Inter Miami instead in 2023. After terminating his lengthy affiliation with FC Barcelona, he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and played there for two years.

Revealed why the Saudi Pro League turned down the chance to sign Lionel Messi for a short-term deal

Top 10 players who have won Champions League, World Cup & Ballon d'Or — Lionel Messi wanted to use the Saudi Pro League to stay competitive ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Photo by Federico Peretti/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

According to Hammad, he presented the offer to the minister of sports, who turned it down. ”The Saudi league would not be used as a staging ground for other competitions, the minister made clear,” he said.

When asked if he thought Saudi Arabia had turned away Lionel Messi, he said, “That is true.”

The kingdom has been granted the right to host the 2034 World Cup. The Saudi league has drawn several stars from major European teams, such as Neymar and Karim Benzema, since Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Al-Nassr following the previous World Cup (2022).

Was Messi approached by Saudi clubs when he left PSG?

Yes, many clubs wanted to sign the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Why did Saudi Arabia reject the chance to sign Messi for a short term now?

The minister of sports turned down the chance, stating that the league will not be used as a preparation stage for other competitions (the 2026 World Cup, in this case).

How long will Messi continue to play for Inter Miami?

He has recently signed a new deal that will last until 2028.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.

Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.