Official: How Saudi Arabia rejected offer to sign Messi ahead of 2026 World Cup

A senior sports official has disclosed that Saudi Arabia declined an offer to sign Lionel Messi for a short-term stint in the Saudi Pro League before the 2026 World Cup.

The CEO of the Mahd Sports Academy, Abdullah Hammad, revealed this during a podcast with Saudi platform Thmanyah.

Hammad said: “During the last Club World Cup, Messi’s team contacted me and offered for him to play in Saudi Arabia because the MLS will stop for nearly four months.

“The player wanted to remain in shape and prepare himself for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

“This happened with David Beckham when he was with Los Angeles Galaxy and went to AC Milan (in 2010).”

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi moved to Inter Miami in 2023 after being linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia.

Messi hints at 2026 World Cup appearance

This followed a two-year spell with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the club he joined in 2021 after ending his long association with Barcelona.

Hammad explained that he relayed the offer to the minister of sports, who rejected it.

“The minister made it clear that the Saudi league would not serve as a preparation platform for other tournaments,” the official added.

In response to a question about whether Saudi Arabia had rejected Messi, he said: “That’s true.”

Since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr after the last World Cup, the Saudi league has attracted numerous stars from major European clubs, including Neymar and Karim Benzema, while the kingdom has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup.

The Star