Saudi Arabia reportedly rejected an offer to sign Lionel Messi on a short-term deal ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
According to Mahd Sports Academy CEO Abdullah Hammad, Messi’s camp approached him during the last Club World Cup with a proposal for the Inter Miami star to play in the Saudi Pro League during the MLS off-season.
“Messi’s team contacted me and offered for him to play in Saudi Arabia because the MLS will stop for nearly four months,” Hammad said on a podcast. “The player wanted to remain in shape and prepare himself for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.”
He explained that the offer was passed on to the Saudi minister of sports but was ultimately declined. “The minister made it clear that the Saudi league would not serve as a preparation platform for other tournaments,” Hammad added. When asked if Saudi Arabia had turned down the chance to sign Messi, he confirmed: “That’s true.”
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The MLS season runs until December and will resume in February 2026, pausing next summer for the World Cup. Messi, 38, has yet to confirm his participation in the tournament with Argentina, saying he will decide after assessing his fitness in preseason.
“It’s special to be part of the World Cup. I would like to be there and to feel well,” Messi said. “I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter Miami.”
Messi’s current focus remains on Inter Miami’s MLS playoff run, where he has already scored twice in a 3-1 win over Nashville. The Herons are pushing for the MLS Cup after finishing third in the Eastern Conference.
While Saudi Arabia opted against pursuing Messi, the country’s league continues to attract global stars following Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2023 move to Al-Nassr, with Neymar, Benzema, Mahrez and Mané all following in his footsteps.
Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup, further cementing its growing influence in world football.
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