Serious reports link Messi to Saudi Arabia: Could he walk away from Inter Miami and MLS?
Lionel Messi’s run at the Club World Cup with Inter Miami lasted longer than expected, as the team reached the Round of 16 before suffering a 4–0 loss to PSG. After the heavy defeat, Javier Mascherano’s side had no time to rest, immediately jumping back into MLS play—where they bounced back with a 4–1 win over CF Montréal, featuring two goals and an assist from Messi. As usual, the Argentine captain became the main story once again.
On Monday morning, Messi made headlines in L’Équipe, the prestigious French sports outlet, which claims to have exclusive information that Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia has already contacted Messi about a potential transfer once his Inter Miami contract expires in December 2025.
“Al-Ahli have opened talks with Lionel Messi,” reads one of L’Équipe’s headlines, followed by the report:
“The Saudi club is looking to sign Messi starting in December, once his Inter Miami contract ends. It’s no secret that Saudi Arabia tried to bring him in the summer of 2023 after he left PSG. Two years later, the local league still hasn’t given up. With Messi set to become a free agent again, Al-Ahli is prepared to do everything possible to sway the Argentine. Financial terms haven’t been disclosed, but with the country hosting the 2034 World Cup, they’re willing to go all-in.”
What’s next for Messi in 2026?
At 38 years old, Messi remains a standout in MLS—a league that is less physically demanding but still allows him to compete consistently at club level. More importantly, he continues to be a central figure for the Argentina national team. His main personal goal is becoming clearer: the 2026 World Cup is no longer a distant dream. Defending the title he won in Qatar could be the perfect final chapter in his legendary international career.
However, MLS will wrap up in October, and the next season won’t start until February 2026, creating a long offseason just before the World Cup—a concern for Messi’s fitness and rhythm. That has fueled recent rumors about a possible short-term move abroad, and the Saudi Pro League, which runs from August to May, could provide a better schedule for World Cup preparation.
“For several weeks, Al-Ahli officials, champions of the AFC Champions League, have tried to convince the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner,” L’Équipe added. “Inter Miami, for their part, hopes to keep Messi after his first two seasons in MLS. But Al-Ahli is willing to do whatever it takes to convince him, and once again, the Argentine faces a tough decision”—echoing the similar dilemma he faced in 2023 when he left PSG and chose Miami over Saudi Arabia.
The $1.4 Billion Offer Messi Rejected in 2023
This isn’t Saudi Arabia’s first attempt to land the global superstar. Messi has made multiple trips to the Kingdom for sponsorship deals and tourism promotion campaigns, and has played several friendlies there with PSG, Inter Miami, and Argentina.
In 2023, Al-Hilal offered Messi a staggering $1.4 billion to join their club, shortly after his PSG contract expired. He ultimately turned it down to prioritize his family’s wishes to live in the United States.
“We approached Messi at the end of his deal with PSG,” Al-Hilal president Anmar Al Haili said last year.
“We offered him €1.4 billion, but he turned it down because his family wanted to go to the U.S. He rejected that amount for their sake. Even though we tried to convince him, he made it clear: family comes before money.”
Now, with a potential second opportunity on the horizon, Messi must once again weigh comfort and family life against the competitive and financial allure of a Saudi deal.