Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi. (AP photo) For a league once defined by its hunger for global validation, the Saudi Pro League appears to have entered a new phase, one of self-assurance. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has spent huge sums to lure superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema, making it football’s brave new frontier. So when Lionel Messi’s team came knocking and proposed a short-term deal for the Argentine icon to play in Saudi Arabia during the Major League Soccer (MLS) off-season, it was to be expected that the Kingdom would welcome the chance with open arms. Instead, the offer was politely but firmly declined.
Why Saudi Arabia rejected Messi’s offer
The revelation came from Abdullah Hammad, CEO of Mahd Sports Academy, who shared the details during the event Socrates podcast hosted by Thmanyah. He said Messi’s representatives approached him during the Club World Cup and proposed a temporary four-month deal while MLS was on hiatus.“Messi’s team contacted me and expressed a 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 sports minister, but he rejected it and confirmed that the Saudi league will not serve as a preparatory platform for other tournaments.” The decision marked a subtle but significant statement, a league that once relied on marquee names to attract attention now choosing principle over spectacle. Hammad compared the offer to David Beckham’s brief spell at AC Milan during his MLS years, but noted that Saudi Arabia’s vision is different. Roshn Saudi League, he said, is being built permanent competitivenessnot appearing as a temporary stage for global stars between seasons. The episode also revealed the contrasting philosophies between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. “Messi set certain conditions and wanted to reunite with his former teammates from Barcelona,” Hammad observed “While Ronaldo accepted the challenge of adapting to a new culture when he joined Al Nassr in 2022.” Messi, who left Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, instead joined Inter Miami, where he recently extended his contract until 2028. Foot marketthe deal is worth around €11 million per year, with bonuses approaching €17 million, along with major partnerships with Apple and Adidas and a share of MLS streaming revenue.“We brought the greatest player in history to our city and now he has decided to stay, furthering our dream of building a lasting footballing legacy.” said Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.
A league with growing confidence
Messi’s rejection of the offer underlines how far Saudi football has come. Once seen as a flashy detour for aging stars, the professional league is now establishing itself as a serious sporting ecosystem with ambitions of its own, not just a rest stop for intercontinental players. The country’s huge investment in football, along with plans to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, reflect a long-term commitment to the growth of the sport. As Hammad said, “The Saudi league would not serve as a preparatory platform for other tournaments,” a line that captures both the maturity and 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 contract with Al Nassr until 2027, he declared Saudi Arabia as his permanent home. In an interview shared via the Al Nassr YouTube channel following his contract extension, Ronaldo said: “My family always supports my decisions and we are happy here in Saudi Arabia. The people are incredibly warm to us. That’s why we want to live and build our lives here.” He described the kingdom as a “land of peace and security” and added:“I will remain a footballer for two more years, but also for life, because my contribution to this country is not only for football… I want to be a part of the growth of the country forever.” “We don’t need to prove anything to anyone. I am here at the Red Sea because I love it. My family and I feel at peace here… I love the culture. I would just say: come and see for yourself.”
The message behind the rejection
Saudi Arabia’s decision to reject Messi wasn’t just about sport, it was about symbolism. The kingdom’s football management seem determined to move from buying glory to building legacies.Had Messi’s approach carried a sense of ambition and permanence rather than a short off-season stint, the outcome might have been different. But as it was, the offer was not in keeping with the current direction of the Pro League, which now favors consolidation over spectacle.
