Al-Ahli is desperate to bring Lionel Messi to the Saudi Pro League and to rekindle his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, according to a report from the Team this morning.
Messi’s current contract with Inter Miami expires in December and was suggested last week that he will renew, but will then ask for an agreement to ensure that he was in perfect condition for the world cup next summer.
Al-Ahli, however, wants a direct transfer and sign Messi when he becomes a free agent, claims the team.
Info the team. The Saudi club al-Ahli would like to bring Lionel Messi from December, at the end of his contract with Inter Miami.https: //t.co/ktmymqhfkq pic.twitter.com/4jfhGub1xp
– The team (@lequipe) July 7, 2025
Messi could renew the rivalry with Ronaldo
If the Asian champions succeeded, it would again make Messi’s attractive perspective against his former enemy Ronaldo, against which he fought many individual battles when they aligned themselves for Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.
Messi has shown that he could still cut him to the world scene by helping Miami reaching the direct elimination stages of the club World Cup before the MLS team was beaten 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain.
And the 38-year-old also shone when he returned to the National League with two goals and a decisive pass while Miami beat Montreal 4-1 on Saturday.
Messi is the third player in MLS history to score at least two goals and have a decisive pass in three consecutive championship games and the first from Thierry Henry in 2012.
Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/dsvmc73hns
– Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 6, 2025
Messi Mascherano praise
“I always like to watch him play, as a coach,” said Miami boss, Javier Mascherano, who won the Champions League twice and the five -time liga as Messi’s teammate in Barcelona between 2010 and 2018.
“For me, it is a privilege to train it. I was very lucky as a player to watch as many games and goals he scored.
“He is clearly someone different – a different player that we are lucky to have – and today he made the difference.”
Messi has already worked as an ambassador of the Saudi tourism council, but he remains to be seen if he opts for the Middle East on staying in Miami where his family would be installed.
Ronaldo chose Arabia and recently engaged in two years with Al-Nassr, signing a new contract until 2027.
