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Lionel Messi Could Resume Cristiano Ronaldo Rivalry In Saudi Arabia Once Al-Hilal Transfer Ban Ends

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could go head-to-head in the Saudi Pro League next season. Al-Hilal want to sign Messi when their transfer ban expires.

Robert Summerscales

Lionel Messi Could Resume Cristiano Ronaldo Rivalry In Saudi Arabia Once Al-Hilal Transfer Ban Ends
Lionel Messi Could Resume Cristiano Ronaldo Rivalry In Saudi Arabia Once Al-Hilal Transfer Ban Ends /

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could go head-to-head in the Saudi Pro League next season.

Messi's contract with Paris Saint-Germain is set to expire in June and he has not yet decided on his next move.

The Argentina captain's father and agent, Jorge Messi, was pictured in Saudi Arabia earlier this week.

If Messi does move to the Middle East, his most likely destination is Al-Hilal.

According to Marca, an offer is being prepared that could see Messi, 35, move to Al-Hilal on the same salary that Ronaldo, 38, is earning at Al Nassr.

Including income from image rights, Ronaldo is said to be making in excess of €200 million per season with Al Nassr..

Al-Hilal have not been able to sign any players this season due to a transfer ban.

This punishment came after Al-Hilal handed a new contract to Mohamed Kanno despite an agreement previously being in place for him to join Al Nassr.

That transfer ban will expire in the summer.

Al-Hilal are the most successful team in the history of Saudi soccer and it is likely that they would have signed Ronaldo earlier this year instead of Al Nassr had it not been for the transfer embargo.

Lionel Messi (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo pictured embracing during a friendly game between PSG and a Saudi Pro League all-star XI in January 2023
Lionel Messi (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo last faced each other during a friendly game between PSG and a Saudi Pro League all-star XI in January :: IMAGO/Power Sport Images/Stringer

The famous rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo was formed largely during the nine seasons they spent battling each other for La Liga supremacy in Spain between 2009 and 2018.

They have not been based in the same country as each other since Ronaldo left Real Madrid nearly five years ago.

However, Messi and Ronaldo remain inextricably linked.

Ronaldo recently reacted angrily after fans of Al-Ittihad taunted him by chanting Messi's name.

SEE MORE: Watch Cristiano Ronaldo Kick Bottle After Being Taunted With "Messi" Chants

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Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.

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