Saudi Arabia turned down offer to sign Messi for short-term stint
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia declined an offer to bring Lionel Messi to the Saudi Pro League on a short-term deal ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a senior sports official has revealed.
Abdullah Hammad, CEO of the Mahd Sports Academy, said during a podcast with Saudi media platform Thmanyah that Messi’s representatives reached out during the last Club World Cup with a proposal for the Argentine star to play in the Kingdom while Major League Soccer (MLS) paused for nearly four months.
“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,” Hammad said.
“The player wanted to remain in shape and prepare himself for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.”
Hammad compared the situation to David Beckham’s 2010 loan move from LA Galaxy to AC Milan, which allowed the English star to maintain fitness between MLS seasons.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, joined Inter Miami in 2023 after two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain and a historic career at Barcelona. He was previously linked with a move to Saudi Arabia amid the league’s growing list of high-profile signings.
According to Hammad, the offer was passed on to Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports, who ultimately declined the proposal.
“The minister made it clear that the Saudi league would not serve as a preparation platform for other tournaments,” Hammad said.
When asked directly whether Saudi Arabia had rejected Messi’s offer, he confirmed: “That’s true.”
Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr following the 2022 World Cup, the Saudi Pro League has attracted several global football stars, including Neymar and Karim Benzema. The Kingdom is also set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, underscoring its growing influence in world football.