How much did Saudi Pro League offer Messi is now clearer than ever: Al-Hilal’s president revealed they made Lionel Messi an offer of €1.4 billion (roughly US$1.5 billion) before he chose to join Inter Miami. He declined the proposal, saying family considerations and a preference to live in the United States outweighed the financial lure.
Below, KottuGoal will dive into all the context, breakdowns, rumours vs facts, and what this means for Messi, the league, and global football.
The offer in detail
What was on the table
- Total value: €1.4 billion (~US$1.5 billion).
- Club involved: Al-Hilal, one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest, wanting to sign Messi right after his Paris Saint-Germain contract ended.
- ** Duration/rate: Some reports claim the proposal was over a three-year span, roughly €500 million.
Why Messi said no
According to Al-Hilal’s president, despite the staggering sum, Messi refused because his family wanted to go to America rather than relocating to Saudi Arabia. Family priorities won over the money.
Other details behind his decision included:
- Comfort and lifestyle in Miami vs adapting to a new country/culture.
- Perhaps the competitive appeal of MLS and his own goals at this stage of his career.
- Emotional and personal ties, not just financial.
Rumours, discrepancies and contrary reports
While the €1.4 billion figure seems well-accepted, several alternate figures or interpretations have been floated. Here’s a breakdown:
- Some sources said €1.5 billion rather than €1.4 billion. Slight variation, possibly rounding or reporting differences.
- Weekly salary rumors suggested €15-20 million per week, which adds up to very high season-totals if multiplied across a whole year.
- Others suggested exotic contract forms, bonuses, image rights, etc., might have been part of the deal, which often happens in mega-contracts. But these are less substantiated.
Because Messi never accepted, many details remain claims rather than verified fact. But the club’s president has publicly confirmed the €1.4 billion number, giving it a high level of credibility.
What it means for Saudi Pro League and world football
This offer speaks volumes about the ambition (and financial muscle) of Saudi Pro League. Here are some implications:
- League branding and prestige: Trying to sign Messi would elevate the league’s global perception. Even an attempt signals Saudi Arabia’s intent to compete for world-class names.
- Transfer market inflation: Mega-offers like this reset expectations. Clubs and agents can expect higher asking prices and demands.
- Player power and priorities: Messi rejecting the deal underlines that money isn’t everything—even for the highest-paid athletes. Lifestyle, family, personal goals still matter.
- MLS boost: Messi’s choice to go to Inter Miami instead gives MLS a headline win. For fans, sponsors, and potential future stars, seeing Messi in America rather than Saudi Arabia matters.
Other past offers and related context
To fully understand the scale, it helps to compare this offer with what else was happening.
- Messi received several lucrative offers in his career; this one might be record-breaking in terms of raw money.
- Other Saudi clubs have splurged in recent years on stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, but none (publicly) on quite the same scale.
- Messi’s compensation in other clubs (Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami) has been huge, but this Saudi offer dwarfs many previous ones in total package value.
What’s next: Could Messi still move to Saudi
Even though he declined the €1.4 billion offer in 2023, rumors continue:
- There are reports Saudi clubs are in talks once more as Messi’s Inter Miami contract approaches its end (end of 2025).
- Saudi Pro League remains eager: they see global stars as key to growing visibility, sponsorship, fan interest.
It’s possible that if Messi does consider another move, Saudi Arabia may put forward new proposals—but likely with revised negotiations around lifestyle, image rights, or shorter-term commitments.
Summary of known facts
low is a quick summary KottuGoal has compiled so readers can quickly grasp the essentials:
- Offer made: ~€1.4 billion (approx US$1.5 billion) from Al-Hilal.
- Messi turned it down to join Inter Miami, largely for family reasons and preferring the U.S. over Saudi Arabia.
- Some reports set different figures or durations, but most credible sources align around €1.4 billion.
- The deal was seen as among the richest in sports history—even for Messi.
Conclusion
How much did Saudi Pro League offer Messi? Roughly €1.4 billion from Al-Hilal, a breathtaking sum that Messi respectfully declined in favor of life in America. This moment encapsulates more than money: it’s about values, lifestyle, and what a player at the top of his game wants beyond prestige.
If you’re fascinated by deals like this, player motivations, transfer rumours, or want analysis of the biggest offers in football history, KottuGoal has you covered—stay tuned. And if you liked this breakdown, share it, follow us, and drop your thoughts: what would you do in Messi’s shoes?
