Lionel Messi turned down jaw-dropping weekly salary offer from Al-Hilal last summer
Lionel Messi reportedly rejected a weekly salary offered by Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, which would have seen him earn €15-20 million per year. Argentina’s World Cup winner was heavily linked with a move to The Blue Jewel but opted to join MLS side Inter Miami instead after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
Fox Sports Argentina (via Fabrizio Romano) has revealed that Messi, 37, declined a weekly salary proposal from Al-Hilal of up to €20 million. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner would have sat on or around a remarkable €900 million—€1 billion yearly salary had he joined Jorge Jesus’ side. It would have made him the world’s best-paid player, eclipsing Cristiano Ronaldo’s estimated yearly salary of €200 million.
Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami on a two-year deal last summer, making him the highest-paid player in the MLS. He has a basic annual salary of $12 million (€11.4 million), as per BeIN Sports, significantly less than the sum of money he could have been making in Saudi.
The Barcelona legend wanted to make the best decision for his family who had struggled with adaption in Paris after he joined PSG from the Catalans in 2021. They have found life much easier in the United States and the Argentina captain has flourished with 25 goals and 16 assists in 29 games for the Herons.
Also Read: 5 Interesting Facts about Lionel Messi that you may not know
“I want to step out of the spotlight” – Lionel Messi on choosing Inter Miami over Al-Hilal and Barcelona
Lionel Messi had three options last summer after leaving PSG: Reignite his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo by joining Al-Hilal, return to Barcelona or join David Beckham’s co-owned Inter Miami amid their rise in the MLS. It was a decision that saw the Argentine prioritize his family and his desire to step away from the spotlight.
Messi told Mundo Deportivo after joining Inter Miami:
“I’m at a point where I want to step out of the spotlight a bit, think more about my family. I had two years where I was so unhappy (at PSG) on a personal level that I didn’t enjoy it.”
Messi had doubts Barca’s financial capabilties to re-sign him after leaving in 2021 due to the La Liga giants not affording a new contract for their greatest ever player. His two difficult years in Paris led to him deciding on Miami where he’s been embraced as a hero with celebrities flocking to see him in action at DRV PNK Stadium.