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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>South American superstar is yet to extend deal</li><li>Will be free to join another team from July 1</li><li>Remains of obvious appeal to teams in Middle East</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lionel Messi to reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Pro League? Transfer talks opened with Argentine superstar as contract in MLS with Inter Miami runs down

<p>Argentine superstar <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/explained-why-lionel-messi-didnt-follow-cristiano-ronaldo-saudi-arabia-sergio-aguero-inter-miami-transfer/blt8f025ee8649f73aa" target="_blank">Messi had the option to move to the Middle East</a> when leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 and told <a href="https://time.com/6342417/athlete-of-the-year-2023-lionel-messi/" target="_blank"><em>TIME Magazine</em></a> of ultimately favouring a switch to Inter Miami in MLS: “I was thinking a lot about going to the Saudi league. I know the country and they have created a very powerful competition that can become an important league in the near future.
</p><p>“As the country’s tourism ambassador, it was a destination that attracted me, especially because I’ve enjoyed everything I have visited, because of how football is growing in the country and because of the effort they are putting into creating a top competition. It was Saudi Arabia or MLS, and both options seemed very interesting to me.”</p>

WHAT LIONEL MESSI SAID

<p>Messi has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-lifts-trophy-46-inter-miami-superstar-most-decorated-player-all-time-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-2024/blta5661435124b5e01" target="_blank">claimed more trophies and MVP recognition</a> in the United States, but will see his contract in South Florida expire at the end of the 2025 season. There has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/few-weeks-lionel-messi-contract-extension-update-inter-miami-very-important-news-mls-argentine-goat/blt129874aed144fc20" target="_blank">talk of a 12-month extension option being triggered</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>No agreement has been reached there as yet - meaning that he could sign for a new club as a free agent from July 1 - and <a href="https://www.teamtalk.com/news/lionel-messi-saudi-pro-league-transfer-talks-sources " target="_blank"><em>TEAMtalk</em></a> claims that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) has “reopened discussions” with Messi and his representatives as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/revealed-stunning-deal-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-team-mates-short-term-contract-unite-eternal-rivals-mls-inter-miami/blt26a029384cde3c27" target="_blank">potential interest is sounded out</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>It is claimed that “nothing is advanced yet, but the door is open”. There have been no discussions regarding which team Messi could join, with Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad all available options.</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>It is said that “PIF wants to understand Messi’s intentions”. If he were to agree a stunning switch to Saudi Arabia, then he could <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-named-goat-cristiano-ronaldo-fourth-argentine-superstar-top-spot-pele-diego-maradona/blt1bd95926bebe4fdd" target="_blank">find himself in the same division as eternal rival Ronaldo</a> - who is mulling over his own future options - for the first time since 2018.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Lionel Messi to reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Pro League? Transfer talks opened with Argentine superstar as contract in MLS with Inter Miami runs down | Goal.com

Lionel Messi may reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo after all, with it claimed that talks have been opened regarding a move to the Saudi Pro League.