Lionel Messi has admited that he consider linking up with rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Arabia pro League before he eventually moved to the Major League Soccer, Newspremises reports.
Messi became the subject of intense transfer rumor after he quit Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season upon the expiry of his contract with the club.
The Argentine superstar was heavily linked with a possible move to the Saudi top flight, while an emotional return to Barcelona was also mooted.
According to CNBC, the 36-year-old was offered a highly lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal but spurned the offer to join Inter Miami instead.
The 36-year-old officially signed for the Florida-based club in July, penning a three-year contract to end the speculation that surrounded his football future.
Messi speaks on his failed Saudi move
The Barcelona icon has now come out to disclose how close he was to moving to Saudi Arabia in a transfer that could have seen him renew his football rivalry with Al-Nassr star Ronaldo.
According to Messi, a move to the Saudi Pro League was on the cards, as well as a possible reunion with Barcelona.
However, when it became apparent that he could not rejoin Barca, he was left with two options in the shape of MLS and the SPL.
“My first option was to return to Barcelona, but it was not possible,” Messi told TIME.
“It is also true that later I was thinking a lot about going to the Saudi league, where I know the country and they have created a very powerful competition that can become an important league in the near future. It was Saudi Arabia or MLS, and both options seemed very interesting to me,” he added.
