Messi confesses to being 'interested' in joining Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Pro League

In a startling revelation, Argentine football star Lionel Messi has said that he was "tempted" to join former Real Madrid striker and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.

Messi said that considered joining the "very powerful" Saudi league after his attempts to return to his former club Barcelona failed, goal.com reported, quoting Time.

"It was Saudi Arabia or the Major League Soccer (MLS), and both options seemed very interesting to me," he said.

His remarks come as the famed striker bid farewell to Paris Saint-Germain and joined Inter Miami in the summer and has since brought notable fame and popularity to the US league.

Since his joining in July, Messi has helped the side to win the Leagues Cup title and also contributed towards persuading other ex-Barcelona players such as Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets to the club to join the David Beckham-owned side.

Messi's inclusion into the Saudi league would've allowed football fans to see arguably the two best footballers on the planet — after Ronaldo who signed with Al Nassr in December 2022 on a two-year contract — compete against each other on the football pitch.

At present, the Inter Miami star is taking advantage of a rare break after the conclusion of the MLS season as the Herons are scheduled to play their first preseason friendly against El Salvador on January 19, 2024.

By then, the Argentine star might have the company of another former teammate from Barcelona, Luis Suarez.

Although Suarez has hinted at retiring due to a troubling knee issue, it is expected that he will join him in Miami for a single season.