For a league once defined by its hunger for global validation, the Saudi Pro League seems to have entered a new phase, one of self-assurance. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has spent vast sums luring superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema, positioning itself as football’s bold new frontier.
So when Lionel Messi ’s team came knocking, proposing a short-term deal for the Argentine icon to play in Saudi Arabia during the Major League Soccer (MLS) off-season, one might have expected the Kingdom to seize the chance with open arms.
Instead, the offer was politely but firmly declined.
Why Saudi rejected Messi's offer
The revelation came from Abdullah Hammad, CEO of the Mahd Sports Academy, who shared the details during the Socrates podcast hosted by Thmanyah. He said Messi’s representatives had approached him during the Club World Cup, suggesting a temporary four-month stint while the MLS paused.
The decision marked a subtle but significant statement, a league once reliant on marquee names to attract attention now choosing principle over spectacle.
Beyond the desert dream
Hammad compared the offer to David Beckham’s brief loan spell at AC Milan during his MLS years but noted that Saudi Arabia’s vision differs. The Roshn Saudi League, he said, is building enduring competitiveness, not acting as a temporary stage for global stars between seasons.
The episode also revealed contrasting philosophies between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. “Messi set certain conditions and wanted to reunite with former Barcelona teammates,” Hammad observed, “while Ronaldo embraced the challenge of adapting to a new culture when he joined Al Nassr in 2022.”
Messi, who left Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, joined Inter Miami instead, where he recently extended his contract until 2028. According to Foot Mercato, the deal is worth around €11 million annually, with bonuses pushing it close to €17 million, alongside major partnerships with Apple and Adidas, and a share of MLS streaming revenues.
“We brought the greatest player in history to our city, and now he’s chosen to stay, this strengthens our dream of building a lasting football legacy,” said Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.
A league with growing confidence
The rejection of Messi’s offer underscores how far Saudi football has come. Once seen as a lavish detour for ageing stars, the Pro League is now asserting itself as a serious sporting ecosystem with its own ambitions, not merely a rest stop for players between continents.
The country’s vast investment in football, coupled with plans to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup , reflects a long-term commitment to the sport’s growth. As Hammad put it, “The Saudi league would not serve as a preparation platform for other tournaments,” a line that captured both the maturity and the intent of a nation charting its own course.
Ronaldo’s enduring bond with Saudi Arabia
If Messi’s chapter in Saudi football never began, Ronaldo’s story continues to deepen. Earlier this year, after extending his Al Nassr contract until 2027, he declared Saudi Arabia his permanent home.
In an interview shared via Al Nassr’s YouTube channel following the contract extension, Ronaldo said:
“My family always supports my decisions, and we're happy here in Saudi Arabia. The people treat us in an incredibly warm way. That's why we want to live here and build our lives here.”
He described the Kingdom as “a land of peace and safety,” adding:
“We don't need to prove anything to anyone. I'm here on the Red Sea because I love it. My family and I feel at peace here... I love the culture. I'd just say: come and see it for yourself.”
The message behind the rejection
Saudi Arabia’s decision to turn down Messi wasn’t just about sport, it was about symbolism. The Kingdom’s football leadership appears determined to shift from buying fame to building legacy.
If Messi’s approach had carried a sense of ambition and permanence rather than a brief off-season stint, the outcome might have been different. But as it stood, the offer didn’t align with the Pro League’s current direction, one that now prioritizes consolidation over spectacle.
So when Lionel Messi ’s team came knocking, proposing a short-term deal for the Argentine icon to play in Saudi Arabia during the Major League Soccer (MLS) off-season, one might have expected the Kingdom to seize the chance with open arms.
Instead, the offer was politely but firmly declined.
Why Saudi rejected Messi's offer
The revelation came from Abdullah Hammad, CEO of the Mahd Sports Academy, who shared the details during the Socrates podcast hosted by Thmanyah. He said Messi’s representatives had approached him during the Club World Cup, suggesting a temporary four-month stint while the MLS paused.
“Messi’s team contacted me and expressed his desire to play in Saudi Arabia during the MLS break to stay active and prepare for the 2026 World Cup,” Hammad said. “I presented the offer to the minister of sports, but he rejected it, confirming that the Saudi league would not serve as a preparation platform for other tournaments.”
«الدوري السعودي لن يكون مجرّد محطة إعداد لميسي»، لهذا السبب رفضت السعودية عرض ميسي — 🙅🇦🇷
— ثمانية (@thmanyah) October 29, 2025
في جديد #بودكاست_سقراط يوضّح عبدالله حماد، الرئيس التنفيذي لأكاديمية مهد، تفاصيل شروط ميسي التي حالت بينه وبين الدوري السعودي، رغم إغراء العقد. pic.twitter.com/pOIlkYSt7g
The decision marked a subtle but significant statement, a league once reliant on marquee names to attract attention now choosing principle over spectacle.
Beyond the desert dream
Hammad compared the offer to David Beckham’s brief loan spell at AC Milan during his MLS years but noted that Saudi Arabia’s vision differs. The Roshn Saudi League, he said, is building enduring competitiveness, not acting as a temporary stage for global stars between seasons.
The episode also revealed contrasting philosophies between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. “Messi set certain conditions and wanted to reunite with former Barcelona teammates,” Hammad observed, “while Ronaldo embraced the challenge of adapting to a new culture when he joined Al Nassr in 2022.”
Messi, who left Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, joined Inter Miami instead, where he recently extended his contract until 2028. According to Foot Mercato, the deal is worth around €11 million annually, with bonuses pushing it close to €17 million, alongside major partnerships with Apple and Adidas, and a share of MLS streaming revenues.
“We brought the greatest player in history to our city, and now he’s chosen to stay, this strengthens our dream of building a lasting football legacy,” said Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.
A league with growing confidence
The rejection of Messi’s offer underscores how far Saudi football has come. Once seen as a lavish detour for ageing stars, the Pro League is now asserting itself as a serious sporting ecosystem with its own ambitions, not merely a rest stop for players between continents.
The country’s vast investment in football, coupled with plans to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup , reflects a long-term commitment to the sport’s growth. As Hammad put it, “The Saudi league would not serve as a preparation platform for other tournaments,” a line that captured both the maturity and the intent of a nation charting its own course.
Ronaldo’s enduring bond with Saudi Arabia
If Messi’s chapter in Saudi football never began, Ronaldo’s story continues to deepen. Earlier this year, after extending his Al Nassr contract until 2027, he declared Saudi Arabia his permanent home.
In an interview shared via Al Nassr’s YouTube channel following the contract extension, Ronaldo said:
“My family always supports my decisions, and we're happy here in Saudi Arabia. The people treat us in an incredibly warm way. That's why we want to live here and build our lives here.”
He described the Kingdom as “a land of peace and safety,” adding:
“I will stay two more years as a football player, but also for life because my contribution to this country is not only for football... I want to be part of the country's growth forever.”
“We don't need to prove anything to anyone. I'm here on the Red Sea because I love it. My family and I feel at peace here... I love the culture. I'd just say: come and see it for yourself.”
The message behind the rejection
Saudi Arabia’s decision to turn down Messi wasn’t just about sport, it was about symbolism. The Kingdom’s football leadership appears determined to shift from buying fame to building legacy.
If Messi’s approach had carried a sense of ambition and permanence rather than a brief off-season stint, the outcome might have been different. But as it stood, the offer didn’t align with the Pro League’s current direction, one that now prioritizes consolidation over spectacle.
You may also like
6,801 beneficiaries in Chhattisgarh's Kanker to enter new homes on Nov 1
5 lakh 'Duplicate Voters' still in Bihar rolls, AAP's Sanjay Singh alleges
Family softens toward Tej Pratap as Rabri Devi backs his independent stand
'India prepared for Operation Sindoor 2.0': Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi
"Country remained secure from terrorist attacks except Jammu and Kashmir": Ajit Doval
