Lionel Messi's potential return to FC Barcelona has been all but ruled out, as reports indicate that his father and agent, Jorge Messi, have a preference for a move to Saudi Arabia, according to Beteve.
With Messi set to become a free agent on June 30 after his two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires, his desire to return to FC Barcelona remains, as reported by Beteve. However, Jorge Messi has been enticed by a lucrative offer from Al-Hilal.
El Chiringuito reports that Messi has already accepted a staggering €350 million ($377 million) per season offer to continue his career in the Middle East. This move would instantly propel him to the top of Forbes' list of the World's Highest-Paid Athletes, surpassing his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jorge Messi has taken to social media to deny any existing agreement with a specific club. However, Beteve's report suggests that the Messi camp is inclined towards accepting a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, and Lionel Messi will not go against his father's wishes as he holds immense respect for him.
FC Barcelona's hopes of bringing Messi back have suffered a setback. Compared to the reported offer from Saudi Arabia, Barca can only offer a modest €25 million ($27 million) per year, as stated by SPORT. The Catalan club is facing the challenge of convincing La Liga that they can manage Messi's return within their financial constraints.
To demonstrate feasibility, Barcelona must present a compelling plan to reduce their wage bill by €200 million ($216 million) in order to make room for new signings. However, AS reports that La Liga has requested an additional two weeks to review the submitted documents.
Amid Al-Hilal's financial resources and readiness to invest, the Messis may face a test of their patience, especially if there are delays in Spain. These potential hurdles could further sway the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner to consider a move to Saudi Arabia.
Coinciding with this development, Mundo Deportivo reported that Ronaldo is reportedly discontented with life at Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal's rival club, and is already frustrated after his January transfer from Premier League powerhouse Manchester United.
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