Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal has been linked to Lionel Messi as the Argentine becomes a free agent on June 30.
Furthermore, the club’s president also had to calm down the rumors regarding the links to the 35-year-old. Nonetheless, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta isn’t worried about the Saudi club’s possible pursuit of Messi.
The Spanish club clinched the 2022-23 La Liga title and Laporta has discussed the Messi topic in two instances, first with the Jijantes FC show and then on a TV3 program where he noted that Barcelona’s lure will bring Messi home.
“With all due respect to Saudi Arabia, Barça is Barça and it is [Messi’s] home,” Laporta said (h/t Mundo Deportivo). “Barça can compete with the whole world; history supports us. And Arabia Saudi is doing a very good job and they are investing and working very well, but Barça is Barça.”
Messi is finishing up this season with Paris Saint-Germain until his contract expires. Extending his tenure in the French capital appears unlikely as doubts over Messi’s future have been ongoing since the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 elimination against Bayern Munich.
Additionally, with the recent whistling from supporters, the 2023-24 season will likely see the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner on another team.
