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“We only want the best here”- Ronaldo reacts to Lionel Messi’s Saudi Arabia snub
Cristiano Ronaldo has reacted to Lionel Messi’s decision to snub a lucrative offer to play in Saudi Arabia, saying: “the best are welcome in Saudi Arabia.” The new Al-Nassr superstar initially declined to make a comment, but he said ‘all the best are welcome in Saudi Arabia’.
“I don’t want to talk about football – only water. He said this while promoting a new water brand. All the best are welcome in Saudi Arabia. Here we have no problems with the league,” Ronaldo was quoted.
You will recall that Lionel Messi was reportedly offered a two-year contract worth $200 million to play in the Saudi Professional League. However, the Argentine superstar turned down the offer, saying that he wanted to stay at Paris Saint-Germain.
Al-Nassr striker, Cristiano Ronaldo has said “The best is welcome in Saudi Arabia.” Ronaldo was responding to questions about Lionel Messi deciding to move to Inter Miami instead of the Middle East.
Over the last few weeks, Messi’s future has been the talk of the town after it was confirmed that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will leave Paris Saint Germain at the end of the month.
Since the news of his exit was confirmed, Messi has been linked with an emotional return to his former club Barcelona, whilst Saudi Professional League club Al Hilal were hoping to lure him to the Middle East with a big money offer.
Lionel Messi was linked with a billion-dollar move to a Saudi Arabian club just months after Ronaldo joined the Riyad-based club Al Nassr. But the Argentina World Cup winner, who is under contract at PSG until June 30, instead decided to join Inter Miami, a club co-owned by former England footballer David Beckham.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo will be joined in the Saudi league by his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema who has signed for Al-Ittihad. Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, a 2018 World Cup winner with France, also joined Al-Ittihad on a two-year deal.
Saudi clubs are also in talks with other big players like Angel di Maria and Luka Modric. According to reports, at least 10 high-profile players are expected to join the Saudi league in the next two months.