Idman.biz
Lionel Messi wanted to move to one of the Saudi Arabian clubs to prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
Idman.Biz reports that Abdullah Hammad, general manager of the "Mahd" talent development academy in Riyadh, told the Saudi Arabian publication "Thmanya" about this.
The 38-year-old Argentine striker recently extended his contract with Inter Miami until 2028.
"Messi's team contacted me last summer during the Club World Cup. He wanted to play in Saudi Arabia during the four-month break in the American league to prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
The same thing happened when David Beckham played for the Los Angeles Galaxy and moved to Milan. I presented the offer to the minister, but he refused to allow Messi to come for only four months, and that was the end of the matter.
The minister said that the Saudi Arabian championship would not be a training camp," Hammad said.
