USL owners embrace opportunity as Pro-Rel becomes reality

EXCLUSIVE: Rapinoe has spent a life committed to changing world

10 years of NXGN: Tracking progress of American wonderkids

From Mutiny to Miami, all 32 franchises in MLS history - ranked

Best players, coaches, teams of the 21st century - ranked

Editors' Picks

Rob & Ryan tipped to sell Wrexham 'sooner rather than later'

Guardiola pays touching tribute to 'incredible human' Grealish

'No titles, no helmet' - Duran accused of breaking the law on motorbike ride

Huge Man City transfer mistake? Forward sold by Pep is Europe's deadliest striker 

Guardiola believes departing De Bruyne will get City statue

Madrid's plan to beat Barca in Copa del Rey final revealed

'Half a player' - Struggling Leao brutally compared to Pulisic 

Osimhen declines Juve in favour of Premier League move

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"970d5d71-c31e-4dc9-aa1b-233e9257fa80","competitionId":"ea0h6cf3bhl698hkxhpulh2zz"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Messi in Middle East before Miami move</li><li>Gargantuan offer made to Argentine star</li><li>Messi rejected move for family reasons</li></ul>

Revealed: The unbelievable figure Lionel Messi was offered to move to Saudi Pro League before Argentina hero signed for Inter Miami

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

Toronto FC

<p>Messi was targeted by the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/exclusive-lionel-messi-asks-delay-al-hilal-move-until-2024-he-angles-barcelona-return/bltc13392dc79254d9d" target="_blank">Saudi Pro League </a>after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/christophe-galtier-confirms-lionel-messi-will-leave-psg/blt5f75299cc67b2c1e" target="_blank">Paris Saint-Germain confirmed the Argentina international</a> was set to leave the club when his contract expired in 2023. Former club Barcelona were also linked with a move for Messi before he finally opted for a new challenge in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Saudi Pro League clubs have managed to snap up a host of huge names in recent years including superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema. Messi was also wanted in the Middle East with Al-Ittihad president Anmar Al Haili revealing just how much money his club were willing to offer the Argentine to move to Saudi Arabia.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p><span>Al Haili told <em>NIBC</em></span>: "We actually contacted Messi at the end of his contract in Paris. We presented him with an offer of €1.4 billion, but the player refused because his family wanted America. It is surprising that the player was able to refuse such a huge offer for the sake of his family. He managed to convince his family, but he did not hesitate to refuse. We respect this, because family is more important than money."</p>

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

<p>Messi has gone on to thrive in MLS, winning the Leagues Cup and helping fire Miami to the top of the current Eastern Conference standings. The <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-drops-huge-retirement-hint-inter-miami-superstar-admits-fears-football-career-coming-to-end/blt440a3f2a34b809c2" target="_blank">Argentina star has also admitted recently he expects Inter Miami to be his last club</a> before he finally opts to hang up his boots. Meanwhile, Saudi teams continue to target top stars, with players such as Mohamed Salah, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/kevin-de-bruyne-drops-saudi-arabia-transfer-bombshell-man-city-star-wife-michele-open-exotic-adventure/blt6c048e61e91b4fa2" target="_blank">Kevin De Bruyne</a> and Virgil van Dijk emerging as new targets for big-spending clubs.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI

Revealed: The unbelievable figure Lionel Messi was offered to move to Saudi Pro League before Argentina hero signed for Inter Miami | Goal.com US

Lionel Messi turned down an enormous Saudi offer in favour of joining Inter Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

Revealed: The unbelievable figure Lionel Messi was offered to move to Saudi Pro League before Argentina hero signed for Inter Miami

Saudi Pro League Matches

Next Match