After Ditching $1.5 Billion Offer, Lionel Messi Convinces $43,600,000 Teammate to Snub Saudi’s Lucrative Offer

Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami this summer after many lucrative offers were put forth by other clubs. After the world cup, the Argentine wanted to take his skills to a league that’s less challenging, prioritizing his family. Lionel Messi was even offered a $1.5 billion contract by the Saudi club – Al Hilal. The club has recently also offered another World Cup winner to join their squad.

The 7x Ballon d’Or winner has been in a great run of form for Inter Miami. Ever since hitting the ground, he has scored many crucial goals and even elevated the play of the entire Miami squad. Inter Miami won their first Leagues cup against Nashville SC. In a competition where the Argentine scored 10 goals in 7 matches.

World Cup winner rejects move to Saudi Arabia

Roberto Firmino’s Al Ahli are enjoying a good run in the Saudi League having won the last two of their fixtures. Firmino scored 3 goals against Al Hazem but is out for some time due to an injury sustained during a training session. Al Ahli are now racing to get their signings as they look to deepen their squad. The Saudi club approached La Liga giants, Atletico Madrid for World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul, only to be rejected.

Rodrigo De Paul is valued at $43,600,000. The Saudi club has offered Atletico Madrid a deal of over $32 million to get the Argentine but the player is in Diego Simeone’s plans. The proposal was also sent to De Paul’s camp but after talks with Simeone and Lionel Scaloni, the player is said to stay put. De Paul is a die-hard Messi fan and it is also suspected that it was Lionel Messi who talked him to stay put in Europe.

Read more – “He Wanted Me to Come To Wrong Club”- After Pairing With Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr Star Admits His Ex-teammate Tried Convincing to Join Rival Club

Al Hilal will have to spend more if they want to get their hands on the World Cup star. Atletico Madrid needs finances as they want to get their defensive midfielder this summer. The La Liga giants are heavily linked with Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Let’s look at some of the other major signings the other Saudi clubs are making this season.

Al Ahli needs more signings

The Saudi club has made some great additions to their team starting with signing Roger Ibanez from Roma in the defense. The club also has the versatile left-footed wing back Ezgjan Alioski who they signed from Leeds United in 2021. Roberto Firmino, Saint-Maxim, and Riyad Mahrez all have been signed to bolster Al Ahli’s frontline. The club needs a defensive midfielder, opening up more space in the front for the midfielders to progress play.

Al Ahli was rumored to be on the verge of signing Piotr Zielinski from Napoli but the move fell through. The club then bid around $32 million for De Paul but Atletico won’t let him go that easily. The club has to raise their offer and also onboard De Paul on personal terms.

Watch this story: Neymar Jr.’s New $400,000,000 Al Hilal Deal Will Squander $160 Million Rich Stephen Curry’s 14-Year-Long NBA Earnings

Al Ahli’s next two fixtures are against Al Akhdood and Al Tai. The club will need to get their midfield sorted as they are pinned against Al Nassr away next month. Who do you think Al Ahli should sign to solve their midfield problems? Let us know in the comments.