Lionel Messi previously broke the record for the biggest contract ever signed by a professional athlete and he could soon crush that previous number with a ridiculous rumored offer.
While soccer icon Lionel Messi is no longer in his prime at 35 years old, his value has never been higher a few months removed from winning his first World Cup championship. Although some had questioned his relevancy in the sport heading into the tournament, his play during the event and the championship game only pushed his brand to new heights around the world.
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However, his current team Paris St-German is one of the most notable in the sport and despite his recent success, they are basing recent negotiations with the Argentinian on what he can give to the team going forward instead of his previous achievement. That is why he is expected to be playing elsewhere when his contract with the Ligue 1 powerhouse ends next month.
For months there have been rumblings around the industry about possible lending spots for the soccer great, with the Miami MLS franchise being a popular choice. However, the Saudi Professional League has become a major contender for his services in recent weeks.
Lionel Messi net worth: $600 million
In January, there were rumors of the league backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund using its financial might to offer him a deal worth $300 million annually. However, not much has linked the two sides since, but fellow aging soccer great Cristiano Ronaldo joined the SPL’s Al Nassr club on a deal set to pay him $200 million for work on and off the field annually.
Well, let the speculation about Lionel Messi heading to “The Kingdom” begin again. On Wednesday, the Telegraph reported that the Saudi government is preparing to offer the multi-time Ballon dor’s winner a deal that would net him an insane $400 million annually.
Lionel Messi recently took an unauthorized trip to the country that got him suspended for two weeks by PSG. He also serves as an ambassador for the country that is hoping to land the 2030 World Cup.
The Saudi PIF is an arm of the government and has been used to make inroads in popular sports to try to win over Western audiences and alter the negative narrative about the country and its long history of human rights atrocities.