Lionel Messi to play for Saudi Arabia in £522-million 'done deal'

Lionel Messi’s sensational big-money move to Saudi Arabia from Paris Saint-Germain this summer is a ‘done deal’, according to reports in France. Veteran Messi, 35, widely seen as the world’s best footballer, will sign a massive contract worth £522million at Saudi side Al-Hilal despite the reported concerns of his wife Antonela Roccuzzo.

The move will see him reignite his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Hilal’s rivals Al-Nassr in the Gulf state. According to AFP, a Saudi source close to the negotiations confirmed on Tuesday morning that Messi will be playing in Saudi next season, labelling the transfer ‘huge’.

The source, speaking anonymously, added the move is now a ‘done deal’. But Messis entourage told GetFootballNewsFrance that no agreement had yet been reached with the Saudi outfit.

Messi had reportedly been prepared to wait until the end of the season to make his decision after discussing his future with his family - but it now appears those concerns have been allayed, with Messi set to move to Saudi capital city Riyadh. 

L’Equipe claim the offer on the table for Messi is a two-year deal with the option of a third, which would see the player turn 38 before it expires, Daily Mail reported.

It was also said Messi himself would have preferred to stay in Europe, with the star reportedly keeping an eye on the financial situation at former club Barcelona. But it now appears he has closed the door on a return to Spain.