CEO of a well-known Saudi youth training academy: Messi once offered to come to Saudi Arabia to play football, but was rejected by the sports minister

Abdullah Hamad, CEO of Mahd Academy (a well-known training academy for sports athletes in Saudi Arabia), revealed in an interview that Saudi Arabia had rejected Messi's "active invitation."

Hamad: "Last season we had planned to let Messi join the academy as part of the Saudi youth development plan, but no negotiations were held. During the 2025 Club World Cup in Miami this summer, some people hoped that Messi could join the Saudi league to prepare for the 2026 World Cup."

"Major League has a 4-month offseason, and Messi has contacted us hoping to come to the Saudi league to play during this period, similar to the situation when Beckham loaned AC Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy. "

Saudi media kooora reported

"Argentina put pressure on this because these 4 months may affect his World Cup status. I reported the matter to the Minister of Sports, but the Minister did not agree. Rejected the proposal and emphasized that the Saudi league is not just a springboard to prepare for the World Cup."

Hamad also revealed the transfer negotiations for Messi in 2023, when Messi joined Inter Miami instead of Riyadh Crescent after the end of his contract with Paris.

"Messi put forward some conditions at the time. He hoped to bring a few friends to join him. Therefore, he finally chose to go to the United States to sign with the team, and we respect his decision."

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