Argentina coach gives Lionel Messi green light to take Cristiano Ronaldo step

10 May 2023 , 13:22

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Lionel Scaloni has given Lionel Messi his blessing should he pursue a move to Saudi Arabia (Image: (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images))

Lionel Messi has been told that he can pursue transfer opportunities freely this summer, with Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni saying that the 35-year-old can play wherever makes him feel happy.

The seven-time Ballon D'Or winner is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain with his contract coming to an end on June 30 and the legendary forward is unlikely to be short of options. One such option could be a move to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, with a potential £320million per year deal reportedly on the table for him to head to the Middle East.

Messi is now in the latter stages of his playing career, with a move away from Europe the only likely outcome for the World Cup winner. He enjoyed a remarkable climax to his career in Qatar in December, winning the World Cup for his country and his international manager Scaloni has said that he is free to pursue any move.

"Let him go to where he will feel comfortable with his team mates and the club's fans," Scaloni said when asked about Messi's future on Qatar's Al-Kass channel. "The matter does not affect us as a national team as long as he's happy when he joins us and we need him to be happy."

Messi has become an unpopular figure with fans in the French capital in recent months, with Neymar also taking criticism from fans due to alleged lack of commitment. Messi was suspended and fined by his club earlier this month for an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, a trip arranged as part of his role as ambassador for the Gulf State.

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The trip will serve to fuel speculation of a move to Saudi Arabia, with his relationship with the country seemingly growing in the wake of the promotional visit. Bringing the Argentine together with his long-term adversary Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League would be a big coup for the country and any other club is unlikely to be able to match the reported wages on offer.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could reignite their rivalry in Saudi Arabia (Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)

A source close to the star has reportedly told Reuters that an offer is on the table from Al-Hilal, and with the blessing of his international manager it will only serve to intensify speculation around his next move. However, Messi's father recently cooled talk of a move by saying that there is no formal arrangement regarding his future.

In a statement released on social media, Jorge Messi said: "There is absolutely nothing with any club for next year. The decision will never be made before Lionel finished the league with PSG.

"Once the season is over it will be time to analyse and see what is there, and then make a decision. There are always rumours and many use the name of Lionel to gain notoriety but the truth is only one and we can assure that there is nothing with anyone. Neither verbal, nor signed, nor agreed, and there will not be until the end of the season."

Will Freeman