For years, followers around the globe dreamed of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi share the identical pitch — not as rivals, however as teammates. When Ronaldo made his blockbuster transfer to Al-Nassr, many believed the Saudi Professional League would grow to be the stage the place that fantasy may lastly come true. But, because it seems, the long-awaited reunion between soccer’s two best icons by no means materialized — and now, the true motive has come to gentle.
Based on Abdullah Hammad, CEO of the Mahd Sports activities Academy, Messi’s camp immediately contacted Saudi officers with an sudden proposal. The Argentine needed to hitch a Saudi membership for a short-term spell in the course of the MLS offseason, when Inter Miami can be inactive for practically 4 months. “Over the past Membership World Cup, Messi’s workforce contacted me and supplied for him to play in Saudi Arabia as a result of the MLS will cease for practically 4 months,” Hammad revealed throughout an interview on the Saudi podcast Thmanyah. “The participant needed to stay in form and put together himself for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.”
It was, in some ways, a logical transfer. Like David Beckham’s non permanent stint with Milan in 2010, Messi sought to keep up match health in the course of the winter lull of the American league. With the World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada approaching, the concept of Messi spending time in Saudi Arabia appeared virtually poetic — the ultimate act of a two-decade-long rivalry with Ronaldo.
Nevertheless, the plan didn’t finish with Hammad. The academy chief handed the proposal to the Saudi Minister of Sports activities, solely to be met with a agency refusal. “I submitted the provide to the minister, however he rejected it,” Hammad stated. “He made it clear that the Saudi league wouldn’t function a preparation platform for different tournaments.”
That call successfully closed the door on Messi’s transient Center East journey. When requested immediately whether or not the dominion had rejected Messi’s provide, Hammad confirmed with out hesitation: “That’s true.” This agency stance marked a pivotal second in Saudi soccer’s evolution. Regardless of the attract of internet hosting the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, the nation’s sporting authorities selected precept over publicity.
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The rationale behind the rejection
The thriller behind the choice lay not in funds, however in Saudi Arabia’s sporting philosophy. Since Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Al-Nassr after the 2022 World Cup, the Saudi Professional League has undergone a speedy transformation, recruiting world-class stars like Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and plenty of others.
Cristiano Ronaldo taking part in in opposition to Lionel Messi
But, behind the glamour, Saudi management has been clear about one factor: the league’s objective is long-term competitiveness, not serving as a brief stage for gamers getting ready for different tournaments.
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“The Saudi league won’t be a coaching camp,” Hammad quoted the minister as saying — 4 phrases that outlined the nation’s sporting imaginative and prescient. It was a line within the sand. The Saudi Professional League needed to draw gamers able to commit absolutely, not these searching for short-term health stints.
