Lionel Messi's next move fuels frenzy of speculation

Lionel Messis next stop could mark his return to Barcelona Or he could make a hugely profitable move to Saudi Arabia Staying at Paris SaintGermain is the most unlikely of outcomesIncreasingly fevered speculation continued to build Tuesday into where the World Cup winner from Argentina will play next season Inter Miami in Major League Soccer is also chasing the seventime Ballon dOr winnerFrench media have reported that Messi has a verbal deal with an unnamed Saudi club a move that would put him back into the same league as Cristiano Ronaldo But one soccer transfer gossip specialist Fabrizio Romano was quick to update his 146 million followers on Twitter that there will be no decision until after the seasonAlso ReadLionel Messi back at training after PSG lifts suspensionBoth Barcelona and Al Hilal clearly want Messi who turns 36 next month and also wants to keep playing for Argentina South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup starts in September with Argentina at home against EcuadorMessis trip last week to Saudi Arabia and subsequent suspension by PSG for the unauthorized absence iquest has reignited talk he will play in the Middle Eastern country if he leaves the French capital as expected One French media report claimed Messi has agreed to a massive deal with an unnamed Saudi club worth at least 500 million euros 548 millionPSG declined to comment when asked by The Associated Press if there is an agreement in place for Messi to leave the clubMessi was linked with a move to Riyadhbased Saudi club Al Hilal last month the same city where Ronaldos team Al Nassr is locatedMessi played against Ronaldo in January in an exhibition game in Riyadh with the Qatariowned PSG facing a combined team from Al Nassr and Al Hilal Ronaldos arrival has already boosted Saudi Arabias soccer profile in the Middle East in a regional rivalry fueled by Qatar hosting last years World CupHaving Messi playing against Ronaldo would do even more for the country as Saudi Arabia prepares to stage the Club World Cup for the first time in DecemberMessi returned to training with PSG this week after the club lifted his suspension following the promotional trip to Saudi Arabia He missed practice last Monday the day after PSGs 31 loss to Lorient The club announced his suspension last TuesdayMessi subsequently apologized to the club and his teammates for traveling without PSGs permissionMessi joined PSG on a twoyear deal after tearfully leaving financially stricken Barcelona against his will in 2021 with an option for an extra year if both parties agreed His contract runs until the end of June but talks about extending reportedly broke down making Messis exit seem inevitableBarcelona coach Xavi Hernandez who is poised to lead his team to the Spanish league title this season has openly said he wants his former teammate to come backBarcelona is the club closest to the heart of Messi and his family They moved to Spain in 2001 and Messi scored 672 goals including an extraordinary 50goal league season in 2012 and won four Champions League trophies with Barcelona among a glittering array of silverwareBarcelona president Joan Laporta is also eager to bring Messi back but must overcome the clubs severe debts and restrictions imposed by the Spanish leagueBarcelonas return to the Champions League could also be affected by an ongoing UEFA investigation into payments of millions of dollars over more than a decade to a company linked to a Spanish refereeing official No evidence of suspected matchfixing has yet emergedPlaying in Saudi Arabia would lessen the wear and tear on Messis body while also offering lowerquality games ahead of World Cup qualifying and the 2024 Copa America in the United States with Argentina the defending championThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever