Report: Messi not signing with Saudis, but kingdom wants him

The Argentine soccer star recently visited Saudi Arabia to play in an exhibition against Cristiano Ronaldo’s new Saudi club, Al Nassr. Messi also met an influential Muslim cleric during the trip.
Messi
Lionel Messi (L) of Paris Saint-Germain looks towards Cristiano Ronaldo of Riyadh XI during the Winter Tour 2023 friendly between Paris Saint-Germain and Riyadh XI on Jan. 19, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. - Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

Lionel Messi has no plans at present to join the Saudi Pro League, the Spanish news outlet Marca reported Friday. 

Marca interviewed Ibrahim Alkassim, who heads the Saudi Football Federation. He said they do not have any information indicating the Argentine soccer star is coming to the kingdom. However, Alkassim said that his organization would love for Messi to play in the country. 

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