Lionel Messi is once again at the centre of a transfer tug of war as his contract with Inter Miami nears an end.
However, The Athletic claims Miami are confident that Messi will pledge his allegiance to them.
The Argentine superstar joined Miami in July 2023, but his contract expires at the end of the Major League Soccer season in December.
News of Messi’s potential availability has sparked interest from elsewhere, especially Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) view this as a golden opportunity to lure the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to the Middle East, and Al Ahli have opened talks to sign him.
The Asian Champions League winners are reportedly leading the charge to bring Messi to the Gulf State and have made it clear that they will pull out all the stops to make it happen.
Having two of the greatest players of all time in the Saudi Pro League (SPL) would do wonders for the league’s global appeal, and they want to make it happen.
Miami understand Al-Ahli’s financial backing, but are not panicking. They are more confident than optimistic that the 38-year-old will choose to stay in America.
Messi is happy in the United States. He was reportedly looking to move to a more prominent league ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but that speculation has been rubbished.
Miami are closing in on a new agreement that will extend Messi’s stay and lead the team into their new Freedom Park Stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2026.
Nothing has been signed just yet, but Miami believe they are close to making an announcement. Messi’s family is settled in America, and he is reluctant to move.
But until the ink is dry on his contract, Al-Ahli will fancy their chances of swaying his decision.
