Was it money? Real reason Messi snubbed Ronaldo, Saudi Pro League finally revealed

Was it money? Real reason Messi snubbed Ronaldo, Saudi Pro League finally revealed

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 09:59 - 15.05.2024

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed why Lionel Messi refuses to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.

Fabrizio Romano has explained the reasoning behind Lionel Messi’s choice to join Inter Miami in MLS rather than joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.

There were rumours last summer regarding a potential move to link up with Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.

However, Messi ultimately decided to make the move to the USA.

Why Messi turned down chance to join Ronaldo in Saudi

The 36-year-old joined Inter Miami on a free transfer following 19 illustrious years in Europe.

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami | Imago

“I think it was not financial,” Romano said on the ARLS podcast (per GOAL).

“I think it was for family reasons and also because he was close to David Beckham, and he had the chance to build a squad with some players who are his friends, like (Sergio) Busquets and (Jordi) Alba.

“He had the opportunity to create what he wanted there – that would have been different in Saudi."

The football world would have loved to see the two legends in the same league again, after their exploits in Spain but it was not to be.

Considering their goalscoring feats in their respective clubs over the past year, perhaps this was the right move for both parties.

Related content