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Messi and Benzema BOTH headed to Saudi Pro League?!

It has been hinted that La Liga legends Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema may both be headed to the Saudi Pro League this summer!

According to a report by Football Transfers, the Saudi Sports Minister Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has suggested that both the Frenchman and the Argentinian may be taking mega-money deals, but no hint has been made as to which clubs are vying to sign them.

The Saudi Sports Minister is quoted in an interview with Sport as saying β€œBenzema and Messi? The clubs will officially announce this in due course.”

Saudi Pro league Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisa
Saudi Sports Minister Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisa has hinted that Messi and Benzema will be moving to the Saudi Pro League. Image credit: Sky Sports

The report goes on to suggest that Messi’s destination, should he indeed end up in the Saudi Pro League, would be with Al-Hilal. This would put the GOAT in direct competition with his old La Liga nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo, playing for Al-Nassr.

It has also been said that, should the move go ahead, it will make Messi the highest paid athlete in the world, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League move.

Barcelona had been hoping to bring the Argentinian superstar back to the Nou Camp for a final hoorah, but Financial Fair Play rules seem to have made this a pipe dream. The Spanish side were even reported to be looking into manufacturing a loan deal with Inter Miami to make Messi’s return possible, although nothing more has been heard since.

Messi Barcelona
Barcelona were hoping to make a Messi return possible, but it now seems unlikely. Image credit: Goal.com

Both Messi and Benzema are now 35 years of age, and both with contracts coming up for renewal, so a big-money move wouldn’t be all too surprising. Whether or not the Saudi Sports Minister’s hints turn out to be true, or whether each player decides to spend another year in a more competitive environment, remains to be seen.