Al-Hilal doesn't give up on Messi: a meeting that could change everything?

Published New:25/06/2025 - 04:18h

Updated New:25/06/2025 - 04:32h

Al-Hilal's interest in Messi is strongly revived and there are already key movements. Change of plans in sight?

Al-Hilal is not giving up on its desire to have Leo Messi as its great star. Recently, from Saudi Arabia it has been revealed that those from Riyadh plan to return to the charge in this summer market to sign the Argentine, currently at the service of Inter Miami, a team with which he has a contract until December 31, 2025.

Key meeting between Al-Hilal and Jorge Messi in the United States

According to the Saudi media Al-Yaum, a meeting is expected to take place soon between the president of Al-Hilal, Fahad bin Nafel, and the father and agent of the Argentine legend, Jorge Messi. A summit in which the Arabs, apparently, will seek to explore their options to channel a transfer of the '10' culé to the current runner-up of the Saudi Pro League in this summer window.

Leo Messi in a duel between Inter Miami and New York City

The meeting would take place in the United States, where both personalities are: Jorge Messi, accompanying Leo on his journey with Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, and Fahad bin Nafel, who recently landed in the North American nation to closely support the club he chairs, and who will play the pass to the round of 16 of the tournament on the morning of Friday, June 27 at 03:00 h (Spanish time) in a duel against Pachuca.

There, he will need to add a victory and hope that Real Madrid beats RB Salzburg to be able to transcend as second in the group.

Saudi Arabia believes that the '10' is looking for a new experience

From Saudi Arabia they believe that 'La Pulga' wants to live a new professional experience, which would bring him closer to not continuing at Inter Miami beyond the next few months. From this, their interest in making a new offensive for the '10' of the 'Albiceleste' takes special force.

Under that premise, it is worth remembering that it is not the first time that a Saudi team has been interested in Leo Messi. Prior to his union to 'Las Garzas' in 2023 as a free agent, there was talk of a great interest from the same Al-Hilal, a club that, as reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano, was willing to offer him a contract in which he would receive up to 400 M€ per season.

🚨 Understand Al Hilal sent an official bid to Leo Messi: salary worth more than €400m/year.

◉ Leo’s absolute priority: continue in Europe.

◉ Barcelona, waiting on FFP to send bid and open talks.

◉ PSG bid, not accepted at this stage as Messi wanted sporting guarantees. pic.twitter.com/FVTDGs4eQV
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 4, 2023

In turn, Al-Ittihad also made clear its desire to hire him, to the point that they were in a position to throw the house out the window to incorporate him, as commented in an interview by its president, Anmar Al Haili, who in a conversation with NBIC recognized the 'astronomical' offer that the club made to the Argentine:

"We made him an offer for 1.4 billion euros"

However, he also revealed the reason why, despite the fact that the offer was economically 'crazy', Leo did not accept it:

"The player refused because his family wanted to go to America. He rejected such a large offer for the good of his family, despite having convinced them. However, he did not hesitate to reject it because family is more important than money"

Would Messi accept a change of scenery at this point in his career?

Will Leo Messi have changed his mind regarding taking on a new adventure in Saudi Arabian football? Or will the Saudi interest in taking the Argentine end up in nothing again? Only the market has the answer, but what seems clear is that, in principle, it is a complex operation if we value the comfort that the '10' seems to have in the United States.

The former Barcelona player lives in an Inter Miami where he is the great star of the sports project —and they want to renew him—, and in a city that has known how to welcome him in great form. There, in addition, he has a cultural closeness that he would hardly have in Saudi Arabia, where the traditions will surely be totally different and new for him.