Lionel Messi heading to Saudi Arabia: official

Not, however, to play football or sign with one of the Kingdom’s Pro League teams. At least not yet.

The World Cup winning PSG star will be in Saudi Arabia this month in his capacity as a brand ambassador for the Saudi Tourist board.

Lionel Messi in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed al-Khateeb announced the visit on social media.

Al Khateeb said: “I am happy to welcome our Tourism Ambassador and star Lionel Messi and his family and friends this month on his second visit to Saudi to enjoy our most beautiful tourism destinations, connect with our people and enjoy unique experiences”.

Messi visited Saudi Arabia in May of last year and attended events in Jeddah. As a tourism ambassador for Visit Saudi, the footballing great is contracted to promote the Kingdom’s attractions and travel reforms.

Lionel Messi’s PSG side play a league game on Sunday, March 19, before an extended break for international fixtures. It is likely that the World Cup winner’s visit will come during that time.

With the Saudi Pro League also taking a break at the same time it is unlikely that Messi will be able to drop by to watch long-time rival Ronaldo play for Al Nassr.

However, a meeting between the two can’t be ruled out. Ronaldo and Messi are both paid to promote Saudi tourism and a collaboration is not out of the question.

Club owners and sport agents may use the Argentinean’s visit to Saudi Arabia as an attempt to lure him to one of the Kingdom’s professional teams.

Al Ittihad have been repeatedly linked with a move for the former Barcelona man. He is out of contract with PSG in the summer and would be a free agent if he were to depart.

The French side are determined to keep hold of the football legend, but he may look to make one final move before retiring.

A romantic return to Barcelona has been mooted, as has a high-profile move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami side in the US league.

However, Al Ittihad are reportedly ready to enter negotiations for Leo, with a mouth-watering contract worth $94m a year.

Spanish newspaper Marca reported the club may have already approached Messi’s inner circle to determine the Argentina star’s level of interest in making a move to Jeddah, citing a report by journalist Joan Fontes.

A move to Al Ittihad would re-open one of the all-time great sporting rivalries and pit Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo against each other once again.