Saudi Arabia's 'Mountain of Money' Can't Convince Messi, De Paul to Come to Inter Miami

According to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague of CBS Sports Golazo, Messi is not interested in clubs in Saudi Arabia 'because there are no contacts or negotiations'. The famous player continues with Inter Miami and his friend De Paul is about to arrive.

Rumors that Saudi Arabian clubs are recruiting Messi are not true.

"Inter Miami and Messi are continuing to negotiate a contract extension. There has been no contact with Al Ahli or any other club in Saudi Arabia from Messi's side. These rumors are not true. As far as I know and am very sure, Messi will sign an extension with Inter Miami and play at the 2026 World Cup," said Guillem Balague.

De Paul (left) visited Messi and Inter Miami Club at the invitation of Mr. David Beckham before, now they are about to reunite together.

Photo: David Beckham/instagram screenshot

Journalists Fabrizio Romano and Ben Jacobs, transfer news experts, and David Ornstein (from The Athletic ) all confirmed: "Messi will soon renew his contract with Inter Miami, despite interest from Saudi Arabian clubs and the huge sums of money they are spending to try to convince him to come play."

Recently, two clubs in Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal and Al Ahli, have intended to recruit Messi, making financial offers that will break all records in terms of salary and other expenses to convince the 38-year-old Argentine player.

However, the owners of Inter Miami, including David Beckham and billionaire brothers Jorge and Jose Mas, have another advantage that Saudi Arabian clubs cannot have: creating a suitable environment for Messi and his family to live comfortably in Miami. In addition, the club's upcoming development projects have convinced Messi, including becoming a co-owner of Inter Miami and leading the project to launch the Miami Freedom Park complex in early 2026.

Choosing to stay in the US and continue playing for Inter Miami also helps Messi stabilize his preparation for the 2026 World Cup, the last major tournament of his career, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

"This choice of Messi also officially closes all hopes of Saudi Arabian football that have always wanted to own him. Clubs Al Hilal and Al Ahli have now turned to other stars, after the opportunity to recruit Messi is almost gone," added Ben Jacobs, who has close relationships with clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Messi just returned to play in MLS to help Inter Miami beat CF Montreal 4-1 on July 6. He continued to be present in the match against New England Revolution on July 10.

Photo: Reuters

Meanwhile, Inter Miami's push to sign midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's close friend, from Atletico Madrid is almost complete, which also means the contract extension process with this famous player is in the final stages and about to be officially announced.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano: "Inter Miami have made progress in negotiations with Atletico Madrid over Rodrigo De Paul! Negotiations are ongoing with the deal now progressing very well, as revealed earlier this week (July 7). De Paul has agreed with Inter Miami and the two clubs are also getting closer to a mutual agreement on the transfer fee."

Journalist Gaston Edul of TyC Sports (Argentina) confirmed: "De Paul will join Inter Miami for a fee of only about 10 million USD, lower than previously predicted. Atletico Madrid valued this player at 25 million USD, but he only had 1 year left on his contract and actively did not activate the extension clause, so the cost has dropped significantly to only 15 million USD.

Inter Miami and Atletico Madrid are negotiating around this time, but because of De Paul's initiative to go to Inter Miami with Messi. Therefore, Atletico Madrid almost agreed and accelerated the process, in order to have the cost and time to find another player to replace De Paul."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nui-tien-a-rap-xe-ut-khong-thuyet-phuc-duoc-messi-de-paul-den-inter-miami-185250709102907988.htm