Lionel Messi appears to be on the verge of an exit from Paris Saint-Germain, as the 35-year-old’s contract is set to expire this summer.
With that in mind, Messi has been in communication with the Saudi Arabian government over a potentially gargantuan contract to join the Saudi Pro League, according to a report from The Telegraph.
The report indicates Messi could make the move to Saudi Arabia on a contract that would potentially pay him as much as $400 million (£320 million) annually. The deal is reportedly being negotiated by his father, Jorge, and Garry Cook, who formerly served as the CEO of English Premier League club Manchester City.
The Argentina international has been a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia since May 2022, attempting to bolster the nation’s efforts toward a successful bid for the 2030 World Cup.
Messi is currently suspended by PSG for two weeks following an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia over the weekend. He missed training during the trip and as a result was hit with the two-week ban, during which he will not receive wages.
Messi’s longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, already made a similar multimillion dollar move out to the Saudi Pro League this past winter. Ronaldo plays for club Al-Nassr, where he reportedly pockets $213 million per season. Messi’s deal to join the Saudi Pro League could nearly double that figure.
Messi has 15 goals and 15 assists for PSG in Ligue 1 this season, fresh off of winning his first-ever World Cup with Argentina. He currently earns about $33 million per season, according to The Athletic.
