Lionel Messi reportedly could earn $400M a year in Saudi Arabia

There's more information about why international superstar Lionel Messi may have already decided he'll be moving on from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. 

The Telegraph reported Wednesday afternoon that the Saudi Arabian government is prepared to offer Messi a package that could be worth roughly $400M annually. 

"Talks with Messi’s representatives, led by his father Jorge, are underway," the story explained. 

After it was learned Tuesday that Paris Saint-Germain were suspending Messi for two weeks without pay after he went on an unauthorized midweek trip to Saudi Arabia to handle Saudi tourism ambassador duties, multiple reports claimed he and PSG would not be extending their relationship. The two-year contract Messi signed with PSG in the summer of 2021 expires at the end of the season, and ESPN insider Julien Laurens reported Wednesday that "both parties have agreed" to part ways following the campaign. 

Messi has repeatedly been linked with Al-Hilal, rivals of Al-Nassr, since April. Al-Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo in December via a deal that Reuters (h/t ESPN) said on Wednesday is "worth more than €200M ($219.98M)"

The Telegraph pointed out that Saudi Arabia's "conventional process for signing the world’s top talent, as with Ronaldo in December, has been for deals to have state involvement before a final destination club is decided." 

The outlet added that the Saudi government could essentially place Messi with Al-Hilal to "recreate" the on-the-pitch rivalry the two had when the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner featured for Barcelona and Ronaldo played for Real Madrid. 

Major League Soccer and Inter Miami have been interested in bringing Messi to the United States for years, but it's unrealistic to think the North American top-flight could even flirt with matching what the 35-year-old could earn in Saudi Arabia.

"Saudi ministers are delighted by the impact the Ronaldo signing has had on its population," the Telegraph noted. "Saudi Pro League attendances have almost doubled year on year and conversation about the league on social media amongst women and girls since his arrival are up 237 percent." 

While it was thought last month that Messi wanted to play in the UEFA Champions League competition for at least one more season, it seems he has millions upon millions of reasons to call time on the European portion of his career.