Lionel Messi’s record move to Al-Hilal is reportedly a “done deal”, with the Argentine set to be reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, reports Goal.com.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has generated intense speculation regarding his future intentions after opting against a new deal deal at Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. With those terms running down, Messi is set to hit free agency this summer.
The 2022 World Cup winner has been linked with a retracing of steps to Barcelona, but financial struggles at Camp Nou have made an emotional return to a spiritual home impossible. A move to MLS has also been mooted for the all-time great, with David Beckham co-owned Inter Miami said to be keen, but a switch to America also appears to have been ruled out.
That is because AFP reports that Messi has agreed a switch to the Middle East. There has been talk of a £400 million ($505m) deal being readied for him by Al-Hilal – with that contract set to see him edge back ahead of eternal rival Ronaldo as the highest-paid player on the planet.