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Football Insider

Ex-Manchester United Star Speculates on Cristiano Ronaldo Wanting Lionel Messi in Saudi Arabia

Louis Saha, a former Manchester United player, discusses why Cristiano Ronaldo may want Lionel Messi to join him in Saudi Arabia amidst a trophyless spell at Al-Nassr.

TransfersAl Nassr FCInter Miami CFMajor League SoccerSaudi Pro LeagueL. MessiC. Ronaldo
Ex-Manchester United Star Speculates on Cristiano Ronaldo Wanting Lionel Messi in Saudi Arabia

Ex-Manchester United star Louis Saha has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo will “definitely want Lionel Messi to join him in Saudi Arabia”.Two eternal rivals with 13 Ballons d’Or between them once locked horns on a regular basis when competing on opposing sides of the fierce Clasico divide that exists between La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.They have headed their separate ways since then, with Ronaldo recently extending his record-breaking contract in the Middle East with Al-Nassr. Messi, meanwhile, is turning out for Inter Miami in MLS.He is yet to extend his deal there, despite having an option for 2026, and there has been talk of big-spending teams in the Saudi Pro League readying another approach for the Argentine GOAT.Saha believes that CR7 would like to see a deal done, with the Portuguese superstar’s former Old Trafford team-mate telling BoyleSports - who offer the latest Champions League betting: “Will Cristiano Ronaldo want Lionel Messi to join him in Saudi Arabia? Definitely. Cristiano will want more big players out there and it’s starting to get very competitive, we have seen that in the Club World Cup.“The people in Saudi will want to continue making the league as big as they can. Ronaldo is a competitor and he wants to win, he hasn’t won trophies like he would want out there. It would be nice to see the competition within the competition.”Al-Ahli are the team said to have an offer for Messi ready to go, with the World Cup winner having previously snubbed interest from that part of the world when deciding to go chasing the American dream in 2023.

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The Eternal Rivalry Continues in Saudi Arabia

Louis Saha, a former player of Manchester United, has shared his insights on the potential scenario of Lionel Messi joining Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. Despite their long-standing rivalry on the football field, Saha believes that Ronaldo would welcome the addition of Messi to the Saudi Pro League, seeking to enhance the competitiveness and stature of football in the middle east.

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Competitive Spirit and the Pursuit of Trophies

Saha emphasizes Ronaldo's competitive nature and desire for success, highlighting the fact that the Portuguese star is eager to win trophies during his time with Al-Nassr. The prospect of having Messi in the same league would undoubtedly raise the level of competition and provide a thrilling challenge for both football icons.

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Potential Move to Al-Ahli for Lionel Messi

Reports suggest that Al-Ahli is preparing an offer to bring Lionel Messi to Saudi Arabia, a move that could reignite the rivalry between two of the greatest footballers of all time. Despite previously opting for a move to MLS with Inter Miami, Messi's future remains uncertain, and the lure of competing alongside Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League might prove tempting.

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The Evolution of Football Transfer Dynamics

The potential transfer of Messi to Saudi Arabia reflects the changing landscape of football transfers, with clubs in the Middle East becoming increasingly ambitious in their pursuit of top talent. The allure of playing in a competitive league and the opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage could present an enticing proposition for players of Messi and Ronaldo's caliber.

Published on Jul 15, 2025