Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Lionel Messi Courted in Saudi Arabia, Paris, Miami

  • Lionel Messi could have an offer of $300 million per year to play in Saudi Arabia.
  • He could also stay in Paris or come to the U.S.
Lionel-Messi
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Lionel Messi has at least three continents to choose for his next club destination. 

The soccer superstar reportedly has an offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal that could be worth as much as $300 million per year. His father and agent Jorge Messi was rumored to have traveled to Riyadh to negotiate a deal.

  • Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain, which pays him $54.2 million over two years on top of a $27.1 million signing bonus, expires this summer. PSG is owned by the state-run Qatar Sports Investment.
  • Previous reports indicated that he had agreed to re-sign with the star-laden club, which have since been denied.
  • Last May, Messi signed a deal to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia. PSG will travel to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 19 to play a squad made up of players from Al Hilal and Al-Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo signed with Al-Nassr for a reported $75 million per year. Saudi Arabia is looking to host the 2030 World Cup.

Lionel Messi hoists World Cup trophy in front of fans at Lusail Stadium in Qatar

Lionel Messi’s World Cup Victory Post Makes Instagram History

The post is the most-liked in Instagram history.
December 19, 2022

Messi in Miami?

Another possibility is that Messi could make good on a long-rumored prospect of playing in MLS.

Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, remains interested in luring the star, and Messi has said previously that he’s interested in playing in the U.S. before his career is over.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Aug 3, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) kisses the championship trophy during the trophy ceremony after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

How Alex Eala Turned the Philippines Into a Tennis Nation

A December homecoming match could break tennis’s attendance record.

Deshaun Watson Has Done the Impossible: Unite Browns Fans

Watson was named the starter after complaining boos were “personal.”

Dan Snyder ‘Invisible’ in NFL Three Years After Commanders Sale

Snyder has had little to no contact with former NFL associates.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/2/26 – Kroenke Buys Angels, LSU-SEC Court Showdown, Cubs’ TikTok Rom-Com

0:00

Featured Today

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.

Pro Tennis Players Say Bring On the Influencers

“I love that they bring this fresh eye on tennis.”
August 31, 2026

Maja Chwalińska No Longer Has Trouble Affording Hotels

Chwalińska makes her US Open main draw debut Monday.
August 31, 2026

Aging Legends Face Uncertain Futures After US Open Losses

Novak Djokovic said he’s struggled with a health issue all year.
Sponsored

Kerri Walsh Jennings’s Playbook for the Future of Volleyball

The former gold medalist talks NCAA, the Olympics, & investing in volleyball.
August 30, 2026

Colts’ Keenan Allen Arrested on OWI Charges

He faces potential NFL suspension.
Aug 23, 2026; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Jessica Pegula (USA) returns a shot against Coco Gauff (USA) during the finals of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
August 28, 2026

Tennis Stars Excited About Grand Slam Council, Details Remain Sparse

Jessica Pegula says the main issue remains players’ revenue share.
August 27, 2026

Cameron Brink Calls Enes Kanter Freedom a ‘Stupid Piece of Shit’

Freedom was removed from a WNBA game Sunday.
August 25, 2026

Top Players Eliminated Early in Revamped US Open Mixed Doubles

Three pairs of doubles specialists lost on Tuesday.