• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, April 8, 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.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center.

Loopholes Enable Int’l College Basketball Players to Cash In

Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players.

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 
Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA;UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena

March Madness Coaches Debate ‘Blueblood’ in NIL Era

The term’s meaning was up for debate at men’s March Madness.
Maxime Vachier Lagrave

The Planet’s Best Chess Players Are Having Their LIV Golf Moment

Chess’s most prestigious tournament is battling a splashy Saudi event.

Featured Today

Beau Brune/LSU

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
March 18, 2026

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 7, 2026

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.
Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Tiger Woods reacts to his putt on the 16th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament.

Masters Stars Feel Unprecedented Absence of Tiger and Phil

This is the first Masters since 1994 without both Woods and Mickelson.
April 6, 2026

Patrick Reed: Golf Apparel Free Agency ‘Been Fun’ After LIV Exit

The 2018 Masters champion is starting to sign new deals.
April 7, 2026

Can the Dream Capitalize on Angel Reese’s Popularity?

Reese’s trade from Chicago to Atlanta is making an impact.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
April 6, 2026

Chicago Sky Pivot Yet Again by Shipping Away Angel Reese

The Dream are giving up two first-round picks for Reese.
April 4, 2026

WNBA Free Agency Is Shaping Up to Be Shockingly Quiet

Some sources believe top players will sign one-year deals.
April 1, 2026

Mayweather-Pacquiao Rematch on Netflix Is On

The fight is expected to be at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
April 1, 2026

Project B Lands Projected Top WNBA Pick, Moves Start to December

The league announced a deal with Spanish forward Awa Fam on Wednesday.