In June 2023, it was announced that one of the greatest footballers of all time, Lionel Messi, would leave Paris Saint-Germain after two years in France.
Despite scoring 21 goals and providing 20 assists in his final season for the French club, fans turned their backs on the Argentine, leading coach Christophe Galtier to announce that the club would not renew Messi’s contract.
But now it has been revealed that he turned down an official offer to transfer to the Saudi Arabian Super League, which was worth 1.4 billion euros.
Anmar Al Hilali, the president of Al Hilal, disclosed the details of the deal that ultimately fell through.
“We actually contacted Messi when his contract with Paris ended. We presented him with an offer of 1.4 billion euros, but the player refused because his family wanted America.”
“It was a surprise how the player could refuse such a huge offer for the sake of his family. It was possible for him to convince his family, but he did not hesitate to refuse the offer.”
Had Messi accepted the Arab club’s offer, he would have reunited once again with Neymar Jr, with whom he played at Barcelona and PSG.
“We respect this, as family is more important than money,” concluded the president of Al Hilal.
