Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal have reportedly offered Lionel Messi a contract that would see him become the highest-paid footballer in world football ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi's deal with Paris Saint-Germain is due to expire at the end of the campaign, and there is currently widespread speculation surrounding his future.
Barcelona are working to re-sign the 35-year-old, with the club's president Joan Laporta, vice-president Rafa Yuste and head coach Xavi all going public in their desire to bring him back to Camp Nou.
However, it remains to be seen whether the Catalan outfit can afford to pay Messi the type of salary that he would require due to their ongoing financial problems.
PSG are also still hopeful of convincing Messi to remain at the club, at least for another season, but as it stands, he will become a free agent at the end of June.
© Reuters
There have been suggestions that the Argentina international wants to spend another year in European football before potentially making the move to the MLS, where Inter Miami are seen as the favourites to sign him.
However, there has also been talk of interest from Saudi Arabia, with a number of teams able to offer him an enormous salary.
According to L'Equipe, Messi has been offered the chance to become the best-paid footballer in the world by Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
The report claims that the salary on the table would take him above Ronaldo, who is said to pick up in the region of £173m per year under the terms of his deal for Al-Nassr.
© Reuters
Messi's departure from Barcelona in the summer of 2021 shocked the world of football, with the Catalan outfit unable to pay his salary due to their off-the-field problems.
PSG quickly emerged as the favourites for the Argentine, and he has represented the capital giants on 66 occasions, contributing 29 goals and 32 assists in the process.
This season, Messi has 18 goals and 17 assists in 32 appearances in all competitions.
PSG are on course to win another Ligue 1 title, sitting six points clear of second-placed Lens at the top of the table, but they were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich in the round of 16.
Matt Law
