Al-Hilal Set To Make Lionel Messi Highest-Paid Player

Paris Saint Germain forward, Lionel Messi could be the highest-paid footballer in the history of football if he accepts the mouthwatering £288 million per year offer from Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal.

Lionel Messi could be on the verge of leaving PSG this summer as his contract with the Ligue 1 club is set to expire on June 30, 2023.

The 35-year-old Argentine star has made 20 appearances for PSG this season, scoring 13 goals and contributing 14 assists. He also scored seven goals as he led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

File photo of Lionel Messi kissing the FIFA World Cup trophy on December 18, 2022.

Though opponents in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Nassr, just finalized the acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo, Mundo Deportivo claims that another Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Hilal are planning a mega-money deal for Messi.

With the alleged amount, Messi would surpass Ronaldo in terms of global player salary.

On December 30, following his contentious departure from Manchester United, in which he criticized the team, the Glazers, and manager Erik ten Hag, Ronaldo signed a contract for £173 million annually with Al-Nassr.

Recall that the 37-year-old has competed against Messi for both individual and team awards over the past 20 years, and that may now continue in the Middle East.

The presence of two of the greatest footballers of all time in Saudi Arabia’s domestic league would significantly boost their chances of winning the bid to host the 2030 World Cup alongside Greece and Egypt.

According to Mundo, who cited two different amounts, Al-Hihal is prepared to pay Messi £266 million annually or up to £288 million annually as they try to sign the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

It is further asserted that even though it would be tough to reject the offer, it is still unclear whether the Argentine would agree to go to a nation with such dissimilar customs and a complex climate in terms of temperature.

Al-Hilal are presently third in the Saudi Pro League, trailing Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr by three points. A former Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo, is currently Al-Hilal’s leading scorer. Argentine Luciano Vietto and Salem Al-Dawsari, a World Cup star for Saudi Arabia, are also currently on the team.