Lionel Messi could be set to rekindle his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Argentine now reported to have agreed to sign with a Saudi Arabian club.
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According to El Chiringuito, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has made the spectacular decision to join Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal.
The Argentine icon will become the latest superstar to make his way to Riyadh should the deal go ahead after Ronaldo signed for rivals Al Nassr earlier this season.
Messi is reported to have approved of an eye-watering off of €350 million (R7 billion) a year with the Blue Wave, and could be joined by the Barcelona duo of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Busquets' deal at the Camp Nou expires at the end of the season and because the Blaugrana have been scrambling to put together a financial package that would see them retain their captain while also signing Messi, it now appears the pair will be plying their trade in the Middle East next season instead.
In the case of Alba, the Spanish left-back would need to terminate his contract with the LaLiga table-toppers if he is to follow suit.
The same report claims that the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner and his father, Jorge, initially asked the Saudi club for a mammoth €600 million (R12.1 billion) but settled on €350 million, with the Messis said to have stated they would only join the club if he earned more than Ronaldo.
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This comes a week after it was reported that the 35-year-old would not be extending his stay with his current side Paris Saint-Germain after talks had broken down.
Coincidentally, the French giants suspended Messi after he breached club protocol by going on an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia last week. Now, it seems he will be residing in the Middle East country from next season.
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