Lionel Messi has been rumored to move to Saudi Arabia this summer after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires. Reports suggest that the Argentine has been offered an enormous amount of money to join Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. Allegedly, Messi had even accepted the offer from Saudi Arabia along with his former teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. However, this rumor has been shot down by journalist Fernando Polo.
🚨🚨| BREAKING: Leo Messi’s entourage DENIES the news that he has accepted Al Hilal’s offer. In fact, Busquets & Alba also DENY the news.@ffpolo [🎖️] pic.twitter.com/nLo3xxFWcU
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) May 8, 2023
According to Polo (via @ManagingBarca on Twitter), Messi’s entourage has denied any agreement. The Argentine is highly likely to move away from Paris in the summer, however, his next club is not confirmed as of now.
Many on the internet had started to believe that Messi has agreed to the bumper offer of around $400 million a year from Al-Hilal. Rumors of him accepting the offer and being joined by Spanish veterans Busquets and Alba spread like wildfire. However, there is no truth to it as stated by Mundo Deportivo journalist, Polo. It has been reported that even Busquets and Alba deny the report.
🚨 Leo Messi has given his AGREEMENT to Al-Hilal! 💣
The Argentine is expected to be joined at the Saudi Arabian club by Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. 🇸🇦
(Source: @elchiringuitotv) pic.twitter.com/egkbVnvPwa
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 8, 2023
Busquets sees his contract expire at FC Barcelona in the summer of 2023. On the other hand, Alba still has a year left on his contract and it expires in the summer of 2024. Both are reportedly on the move, however, their destination has not been confirmed. Unlike Messi, the Barcelona players are not facing heavy criticism from fans and pressure from the club.
Messi, on the other hand, got into deep trouble with PSG. He visited Saudi Arabia and missed training for it. His visit was unauthorized, therefore, he received a two-week suspension. However, if the suspension was in fact confirmed, it has now been lifted.
Lionel Messi is no longer suspended by PSG as he turns up for training
As reported earlier, Messi was supposed to be completely suspended by the club for two weeks. He was set to miss two league games while also missing training for the 14-day period. However, it seems like the PSG officials had a change of heart after Messi publicly apologized to the club.
🚨🚨| JUST IN: Leo Messi is back! PSG have lifted his sanction & he’s already training with them again. pic.twitter.com/rGouGns0Ec
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) May 8, 2023
Messi was spotted in PSG training on Monday after PSG comfortably defeated Troyes away on Sunday. Hugo Ekitike started up-front with Kylian Mbappe, who was off the blocks in no time. Mbappe scored within eight minutes to give PSG the lead.
Vitinha got on the scoresheet for the Parisian club in the second half before Troyes got one back. Xavier Chavalerin scored for Troyes. However, a comeback was stopped in its track as Fabian Ruiz scored soon after. PSG won the game 1-3.
With four games to go, PSG leads the league table with 78 points. Second-placed Lens are six points behind PSG.