Report: 'Increasing likelihood' Lionel Messi rejects MLS for Saudi Arabia

North American fans hoping to see international superstar Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer as soon as this summer may find themselves disappointed. 

One day after it was said that Messi is on track to leave Paris Saint-Germain after his contract expires following this season, ESPN's Mark Ogden reported that "there is now an increasing likelihood" the 35-year-old will head to the Saudi Pro League this summer. Specifically, Messi is being linked with Al-Hilal, rivals of Al-Nassr. 

Al-Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo via a historic deal in December. 

As shared by Kyle Bonn of Sporting News, well-known football transfers insider Fabrizio Romano dropped a bombshell when he tweeted that Al-Hilal have sent an official bid to Messi that includes a "salary worth more than €400M ($438M) per year. To compare, Ronaldo is reportedly making around $213M per year including commercial and sponsorship deals.

"But while a source said that reports of a £350M-a-year package with Al-Hilal are excessive, there is an appetite in the country to continue to boost the profile of the Saudi Pro League following Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in December," Ogden added in his story. 

Messi has repeatedly been linked with what long felt to be an inevitable move to MLS side Inter Miami, but Ogden pointed out that "the Major League Soccer franchise would be unable to come close to competing with the money on offer in Saudi Arabia." 

In June 2021, it was said that Messi could earn roughly $73M per season as an Inter Miami player. 

Messi left Spanish giants Barcelona as a free agent two summers ago due to financial issues impacting the club at that time. While Barca supporters have been dreaming of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner finishing his career with the Catalan club, Ogden said that "the La Liga leaders continue to battle against financial problems" and that "a move for Messi appears unlikely to succeed."