A senior Saudi sports official has revealed that Saudi Arabia declined an offer to sign Lionel Messi for a short-term spell in the Saudi Pro League ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Abdullah Hammad, CEO of the Mahd Sports Academy, Messi’s representatives reached out during the last FIFA Club World Cup, proposing that the Argentine star join a Saudi club temporarily to stay in form during the Major League Soccer (MLS) offseason.
“During the last Club World Cup, Messi’s team contacted me and offered for him to play in Saudi Arabia because the MLS will stop for nearly four months,” Hammad said on a podcast hosted by Saudi platform Thmanyah.
“The player wanted to remain in shape and prepare for the upcoming World Cup.”
He compared the situation to David Beckham’s 2010 loan move from LA Galaxy to AC Milan, describing it as a similar effort to maintain competitive fitness between seasons.
Hammad said he relayed the proposal to the Saudi Minister of Sports, who rejected it outright.
“The minister made it clear that the Saudi league would not serve as a preparation platform for other tournaments,” he said.
When asked to confirm whether Saudi Arabia had indeed turned down Messi, Hammad replied, “That’s true.”
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, despite earlier reports linking him to a lucrative Saudi move.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Al-Nassr after the 2022 World Cup, the Saudi Pro League has attracted top international players including Neymar and Karim Benzema. The kingdom is also set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, underscoring its growing influence in global football.
