Messi vs. Ronaldo: The potential final showdown that could shake global football — while Inter Miami fights to keep their star

Lionel Messi has once again become the centerpiece of football’s billion-dollar chess game. Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal is going all in to lure the Argentine superstar away from Inter Miami when his contract ends in December 2025. The goal? To reunite Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League and reignite the greatest rivalry of the 21st century on Middle Eastern soil.

According to L’Équipe, backed by sources like Yahoo Sports and Athlon Sports, Al Hilal president Fahd bin Nafel recently flew to the U.S. to meet with Jorge Messi, the player’s father and agent. This isn’t just rumor mill chatter — there’s an official offer on the table, and it’s massive, aggressive, and hard to ignore.

The Saudi bet: more than football, a geopolitical asset

In 2023, Al Hilal had already dangled a jaw-dropping €1.4 billion contract in front of Messi after he left PSG. He turned it down, choosing Miami for its cultural project and family lifestyle. But today, the situation has shifted. Messi is also a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia (a contract worth £18.4 million), and the country is determined to leverage football as a global soft power tool.

With a stacked roster and virtually unlimited financial muscle, Al Hilal dreams of creating a “super team” that not only draws global fans but also positions the Saudi league as a true elite stage. Picture it: Messi vs. CR7 in regular derby showdowns — pure dynamite for TV audiences, sponsors, and social media virality.

Inter Miami: the pink counterattack

Since landing in Florida in 2023, Messi has redefined Inter Miami’s identity. He’s scored 52 goals and tallied 25 assists in 64 matches, delivered the club’s first-ever trophy, and completely transformed the MLS fan base and revenue streams.

The club has already opened talks to extend his contract, banking on Messi’s emotional attachment to the Miami project — further strengthened by a surprising Club World Cup run, where they upset favorites and only fell to PSG in the Round of 16. The goal? Keep their icon through at least 2027 and cement MLS as a global force.

What’s at stake

If Messi accepts the Saudi bid, it wouldn’t just be a headline — it would redefine modern football’s commercial and cultural landscape. It would turn the Saudi Pro League into an unprecedented global entertainment product, overshadowing traditional leagues and rewriting how football power is projected worldwide.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami is fighting to preserve the biggest star MLS has ever seen, betting that the promise of legacy, family, and U.S. lifestyle can outweigh any oil-backed mega offer.