Lionel Messi’s transfer saga is set to be the most followed move in the summer of 2023. The fact that he is going to leave Paris Saint-Germain is all but confirmed. However, where he will play his club soccer next season is still a big question mark. But, Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna has a few answers for us.
In one of his latest tweets that have taken over Twitter, he talked a bit about the Messi transfer saga. He has given a big update stating that the Argentine’s camp has accepted the offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father and agent, has reportedly accepted the massive offer. Al-Hilal is apparently offering Messi €1.2 billion ($1.28 billion) over the course of two years. This offer easily trumps Cristiano Ronaldo’s earnings of around $215 million a year at Al-Nassr.
❗Leo Messi’s father and agent Jorge Messi has already accepted Al-Hilal’s offer of €600m per year. But Leo is still waiting for Barça to send him an offer.
— @Santi_J_FM pic.twitter.com/nvUXBm5hIR
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) May 29, 2023
It should also be noted that Santi stated Jorge’s commission would be the biggest commission in soccer transfer history. Al-Hilal is ready to dish out as much as needed to capitalize on Messi’s situation.
Messi and PSG have been a story of ups and downs. Messi’s stats with the club would make you think he has done a decent job. He has scored 32 goals and assisted 34 in a total of 74 appearances. However, off the field, he has sort of become a villain. Fans have jeered him on multiple occasions, he disrespected the board by taking an unauthorized trip and also missed the UNFP awards ceremony.
Lionel Messi boycotted the UNFP ceremony with PSG last night. Instead he was spotted with Fabregas at the Coldplay concert in Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/9DR2VIGVm8
— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) May 29, 2023
These incidents make it clear that a Messi-PSG breakup is imminent. However, is Saudi Arabia where Messi is headed? According to Santi, that is not the whole story.
Lionel Messi waits for Barcelona as his father reportedly accepts massive Al-Hilal offer
In his update regarding Jorge accepting the offer from Al-Hilal, Santi also stated that Messi awaits Barcelona’s decision meanwhile. The Argentine has not given up on his former team. He is still hoping to get a positive answer from them.
Xavi on Lionel Messi to SPORT: “Messi’s return makes sense to me, no doubt. I’ve told president Laporta about it. Leo is still a decisive player. He’s still hungry, he’s a winner, a leader. Also just very different. The way I want the team to play, no doubt he’ll bring us a lot.” pic.twitter.com/zXwWfkRV1c
— Mundo Albiceleste ⭐🌟⭐🇦🇷 (@MundoAlbicelest) May 29, 2023
Lionel Messi’s former teammate and current Barcelona coach Xavi was heard speaking positively about the move recently. “In terms of what I am in charge of, the football side of things, there are no doubts that if Messi comes back he is going to help us,” the Spanish manager told Diario Sport upon being asked if Messi returning would make sense.
“I have made that clear to the president [Joan Laporta]. I don’t have a single doubt about that because he is still a difference-maker, he is still hungry, he’s a winner and he is a leader.”
Financial issues are still what plague Barcelona’s pursuit of Messi. It is clear that everyone around the club wants him back. However, tackling the Financial Fair Play rules is going to be Barcelona’s biggest task.