Football legend Lionel Messi has reportedly accepted an offer to join the Saudi Professional League next season, according to foreign media sources — though it remains unclear which club he will ultimately sign with.
Sources close to the negotiations say discussions are progressing swiftly, with several top Saudi clubs expressing strong interest in bringing the Argentine superstar into their ranks. While the deal hasn’t been finalized, Messi is said to be “open and willing” to make the move, marking another major coup for Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing football scene.
The development comes on the heels of Messi’s recent stint with Inter Miami in the United States, a chapter that received mixed reviews. Fans in Saudi Arabia — and around the world — have been eagerly awaiting word on his next destination, and this latest update has only heightened anticipation.
Meanwhile, Messi’s longtime rival, Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo, has officially extended his stay in the Kingdom. The Saudi Pro League confirmed this week that Ronaldo has signed a new deal with Al-Nassr, keeping him at the club until 2027.
The 39-year-old joined Al-Nassr in 2022 after parting ways with Manchester United and has since made a significant impact, finishing the previous season as the league’s top scorer with 25 goals. In a celebratory post on social media, Ronaldo wrote, “A new chapter begins — same passion, same dream. Let’s make history together.”
The extension solidifies Ronaldo’s status as a cornerstone of Saudi football’s ambitious expansion plans. He continues to dominate the global earnings chart as the world’s highest-paid athlete, with estimated annual earnings of $275 million, according to Forbes.
Despite approaching 40, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. He recently led Portugal to their second UEFA Nations League title, defeating Spain in a thrilling final. He has also set his sights on becoming the first player to score 1,000 career goals — a milestone that feels within reach given his current tally of 932 goals, including 794 in club football and 138 for Portugal.
With Messi potentially joining the Saudi league and Ronaldo reaffirming his commitment, fans around the world may soon witness a new chapter in one of football’s most iconic rivalries — this time, in the heart of the Middle East.
