Topline
Soccer legend Lionel Messi returned to practice with his club Paris Saint-Germain on Monday, less than a week after the club suspended him for an unauthorized promotional trip to Saudi Arabia—though his plans after the season are still unknown, and multiple outlets are reporting he could join longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi returned to practice Monday, after being suspended for visiting … [+]
Key Facts
Messi returned to Paris Saint-Germain’s Camp des Loges training site Monday morning, PSG tweeted, though it’s not yet clear if the 2022 World Cup champion, who is one week into a two-week suspension, will be eligible to play in the club’s next match Saturday against Ajaccio.
Messi had apologized to his club and his teammates in an Instagram post Friday, saying he previously planned the promotional trip for what he thought was an off-day and couldn’t back out.
His return to PSG, however, might not be long-lived: ESPN reported Monday morning, citing Spanish TV outlet El Chiringuito, that the 35-year-old star plans to turn down a third-year option with PSG and take a massive contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal this summer.
Messi, the world’s second-highest-paid athlete, would easily become the world’s highest-paid athlete if he takes an offer with Al-Hilal (speculated to be upwards of $400 million annually), surpassing Ronaldo, who takes in an estimated $136 million per year, including $90 million in off-field endorsement deals.
Forbes Valuation
$130 million. That’s how much Messi makes per year, split evenly between his $65 million annual contract and another $65 he makes through advertisement deals, according to Forbes’ list of the top 10 highest-paid athletes.
What We Don’t Know
Where Messi will play after the Ligue 1 season comes to a close next month. Multiple reports last week indicated Messi will leave PSG for a lucrative contract with the Saudi Pro League this summer—though the seven-time Ballon d-Or winner is also rumored to possibly rejoin FC Barcelona, where he played for 15 years, or take a contract with David Beckham’s Major League Soccer team Inter Miami.
Further Reading
Messi Apologizes For Suspension—But Won’t Say If He’ll Play For Barcelona Or Take Saudi Offer (Forbes)
Lionel Messi Leaving Paris Saint-Germain Amid Speculation He Could Join Saudi Club (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/05/08/messi-returns-to-paris-saint-germain-for-now-but-reportedly-weighing-saudi-offer/