Saudi Arabia's biggest club Al Hilal plan to meet Lionel Messi's father, sparking rumors of transfer blockbuster

Lionel Messi during Argentina's 4-1 win over Guatemala at Commanders Stadium in Landover, Maryland, U.S. on June 14, 2024. Photo by AP

While Messi continues to showcase his talent by leading Inter Miami through the group stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, the Argentine superstar's future remains a hot topic, with a potential move set to shake the football world.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Midan Sports, Fahd bin Nafel, President of Al Hilal, is currently in the U.S. and is expected to meet privately with Jorge, Messi's father and agent, in the coming days. The meeting's main objective is to explore the possibility of bringing Messi to Saudi Arabia this summer.

Sources from Arab media confirmed that the planned meeting is not merely a rumor but a serious discussion. The club see Messi as the "icing on the cake" to their ambitions of becoming a global powerhouse, rivaling European giants both in footballing expertise and media appeal, Gazeta Express reported.

Although Messi remains focused on his current contract with Inter Miami, his future is uncertain. His contract with the American club expires in December 2025, and Al Hilal view this as a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to sign one of the biggest names in football.

At 38, Messi continues to perform at a high level in the U.S. Since joining Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, he has scored 50 goals and provided 24 assists in 60 matches, helping the club secure their first-ever title.

To sign Messi, Al Hilal will likely need to make a record-breaking offer, possibly surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary of €200 million ($234 million) per season.