Jorge Messi, the father and agent of PSG superstar Lionel Messi, has denied all rumours claiming that the 35-year-old has reached an agreement to play in Saudi Arabia next season.
Reports of Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi signing a
deal to play in Saudi Arabia next season are false, the player's father said
via statement.
“There’s absolutely nothing agreed with any club for next
season," Jorge Messi, who also represents his son, said. "We will
decide at the end of the season. Nothing is signed, agreed or verbally agreed.
Only fake news using Leo’s name."
Earlier, a Saudi source close to the negotiations told AFP
that the deal was agreed on lucrative terms.
"The contract is exceptional. It is huge. We are still
finalising some details," the source added, without revealing the name of
the club concerned.
Messi is already under contract with Visit Saudi and
frequently promotes the Kingdom's tourist destinations.
The 35-year-old was recently suspended by his current club
Paris Saint-Germain for visiting Saudi Arabia, missing the club's training.
Messi apologised to his teammates and the club following his
suspension and is now back in training for the league leaders.
When contacted by journalists, PSG stated that Messi's
contract runs until June 30.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Messi will honour the end of
his contract as planned and will only decide on his future at the end of the
football season.
Recent reports have put Saudi club Al-Hilal at the front of
the race to sign the World Champion with an offer valued at €400 million per
year.
Messi's transfer to Saudi Arabia will pit him against
Cristiano Ronaldo once again, after sharing a longstanding rivalry. The
Portuguese attacker is currently with Al Nassr after arriving from Manchester
United last December.
"The negotiations did not take as long as with
Ronaldo," said the Saudi source, adding that as with the latter, the
financial package came from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund (PIF).