According to reports, Lionel Messi intends to eventually leave the club and join Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. This would cut short any potential time he might have spent with his former club, FC Barcelona. Messi faced suspension for a period of two weeks due to his unauthorized travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is to perform his role as a tourism ambassador, without obtaining permission from his club’s owners.
Messi’s suspension is in line with PSG’s disciplinary code. This states that any unapproved absence will result in a fine of up to two weeks’ wages and a suspension. As per Forbes’ 2023 list of the World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes, Messi’s estimated earnings for the year are $130 million. This means that he could potentially lose around $2.5 million in wages during his suspension. Lionel Messi will also miss two important games for PSG against Troyes and Ajaccio.
The French sports magazine also reported that PSG has reportedly rescinded a contract extension offer to Messi. His current contract at Parc des Princes is to expire on June 30th.
Will Lionel Messi return to Barcelona?
There are strong rumors about Messi’s return to his former club FC Barcelona. The team is currently trying to persuade La Liga that they can make the deal happen through a viable plan. However, they are facing difficulties in reducing their wage bill by €200 million ($220 million) as required.
Onda Cero reports that Lionel Messi has already decided his next step after potentially rejoining FC Barcelona if the club can manage to make the deal happen. Else, he is reportedly planning to eventually join Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, though no timeline for this move has been specified.
According to rumors, Lionel Messi’s closest friends at FC Barcelona, veteran players Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, are said to be considering a move to the Middle East after Messi joins Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Reportedly, they intend to join Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al-Nassr.
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