Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Monday, 03 November 2025 20:52 / Updated Monday, 03 November 2025 20:55
Lionel Messi (38 years old) would have wanted to evolve for a few months in Saudi Arabia to maintain his form before the World Cup in 2026, but the proposal would have been rejected even by the Gulf authorities, the publication notes goal.com.
The 2022 World Champion has signaled that he would like to be in the squad for the final tournament in 2026, but is yet to make a decision on his participation. The former Barcelona footballer said that everything depends on his physical form. Argentina has already qualified for the final tournament hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada
Messi in Saudi Arabia?
According to Abdullah Hammad, CEO of Mahd Sports Academy, the Argentinian's team would have contacted Saudi officials during the Club World Championship, proposing a short-term loan while MLS is on a competitive break.
During the Club World Cup, Messi's team contacted me and proposed that he play in Saudi Arabia, because MLS stops for almost four months. The player wanted to maintain his form and prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
– Hammad said in a podcast
However, the proposal was rejected by the Saudi minister of sports, who reportedly said that “the league will not be used as a training platform for other competitions.”
“We conveyed the offer to the minister, but he made it clear that we will not use the Saudi championship to prepare other tournaments. So, yes, the offer was rejected,” Hammad added.
Lionel Messi still undecided about 2026 World Cup
The 38-year-old Argentine star is yet to make a final decision on whether to take part in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“I want to be there, but I will decide according to how I feel next year when I start training again with Inter Miami. If I can help the team, then I will go. It would be a dream to defend the trophy,” Messi said.
Currently, the Inter Miami captain is in the midst of the MLS playoff season, where his team is fighting for the MLS Cup trophy.
Leo Messi has already scored 31 goals this season and scored a brace in a 3-1 win over Nashville in the first leg of the best-of-three series.
Priced at €18 million according to the specialist website Transfermarkt, Lionel Messi spent 21 years at FC Barcelona (2000–2021), becoming the symbol of the club and one of the greatest players in history. He followed the period at Paris Saint-Germain (2021–2023), and from 2023 he plays for Inter Miami.
