Don't do it, Leo! Saudi Arabia move would prove Messi is motivated mainly by money

Lionel Messi's father was incensed by the claim made on Tuesday by AFP that his son's proposed move to Al-Hilal was a "done deal". Jorge dismissed the story as a "malicious rumour" and reiterated that no decision has yet been made on where the Argentina captain will play next season.

As GOAL has reported several times, Messi will wait until the conclusion of the current campaign before finalising his future. Tellingly, though, a move to Saudi Arabia wasn't ruled out. On the contrary, it remains a very viable option for the forward and his family, which is depressing for those that expect sporting superstars to have a social conscience.

In that context, Messi's recent moves, on and off the field, have been desperately disappointing, his perceived lack of ethics best summed up by the fact that he was recently suspended by Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain for fulfilling a promotional obligation in Saudi Arabia.