RIYADH: A report by AFP that Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will play in 黑料社区 next season has been dismissed by one of his representatives on Tuesday.
According to the French press agency, a source with knowledge of the negotiations between Messi and a Saudi club commented that a "huge" deal had been agreed.
鈥淢essi is a done deal. He will play in 黑料社区 next season,鈥 said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity and without naming the club.
Rumors have been circulating recently that the World Cup winner will join Al-Hilal in Riyadh.
鈥淭he contract is exceptional. It鈥檚 huge. We are just finalising some small details,鈥 the source added.
A representative for Messi dismissed the comments, telling CNN that the player will decide on his future at the end of the current season. Al-Hilal did not comment on the reports.
Asked about the comments, Messi鈥檚 current club Paris Saint-Germain simply noted that he remains under contract until June 30.
A separate PSG source said: 鈥淚f the club had wanted to renew his contract, it would have been done earlier.鈥
The 35-year-old World Cup winner was suspended by Qatari-owned PSG last week for an unauthorised trip to Saudi, where he is a tourism ambassador.
Messi鈥檚 expected arrival in the Kingdom follows in the footsteps of his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in a massive deal in January.
Ronaldo鈥檚 agreement to June 2025 is said to total more than $439million, making him the world鈥檚 highest paid athlete according to Forbes.
