Saudi Arabia Turned Down Lionel Messi Offer, Official Claims

Lionel Messi wanted in Saudi Pro League, but was rejected

Lionel Messi's representatives reportedly offered him to play in the Saudi Pro League, but the minister of sports rejected the proposal, citing the league's ambitions.

“The minister made it clear that the Saudi league would not serve as a preparation platform for other tournaments...”

A senior sports official has claimed that Saudi Arabia turned down an opportunity to sign Lionel Messi for a short-term stint in the Saudi Pro League ahead of next year's World Cup. According to Abdullah Hammad, CEO of the Mahd Sports Academy, “During the last Club World Cup, Messi's team contacted me and offered for him to play in Saudi Arabia because the MLS will stop for nearly four months.”

Hammad's comments were made during a podcast with Saudi platform Thmanyah, where he revealed that Messi's team had approached him with the proposal. The Saudi Pro League has been making efforts to boost its profile by attracting high-profile signings, but it appears that Lionel Messi's team was looking for a short-term opportunity.

“The player wanted to remain in shape and prepare himself for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.”

“This happened with David Beckham when he was with Los Angeles Galaxy and went to AC Milan (in 2010),” he added.

Lionel Messi made a move to Inter Miami in 2023, after being linked to a potential switch to Saudi Arabia. This transfer came after Messi spent two years with Paris Saint-Germain, the club he joined in 2021 following his departure from Barcelona.

⚠️ Here’s the subtitle for last summer’s Saudi League talks with Messi 🇦🇷🇸🇦 https://t.co/noi7zi4Hdl pic.twitter.com/Z8FjLQQF51

— All About SPL 🔔 🇸🇦 (@Saudifutbol) October 30, 2025

According to Abdullah Hammad, the CEO of Mahd Sports Academy, Messi's representatives had approached him with an offer for Messi to play in the Saudi Pro League on a short-term basis before the 2026 World Cup. Hammad relayed the offer to the Saudi Minister of Sports, who rejected it, stating, “The minister made it clear that the Saudi league would not serve as a preparation platform for other tournaments.”

When asked if Saudi Arabia had rejected the opportunity to sign Lionel Messi, Abdullah Hammad replied, “That's true.” The Saudi Pro League has been actively pursuing high-profile signings since Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr, attracting stars like Neymar and Karim Benzema from top European clubs.

This push for big-name talent aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader ambitions in football, highlighted by its successful bid to host the 2034 World Cup. The kingdom's investments in sports are part of a wider strategy to diversify its economy and promote its global profile.