Messi’s father and rep denies Al Hilal deal

Jorge Messi denied reports of a done deal and said they will only decide on the player’s future at the end of the Ligue 1 season.

Lionel Messi, captain of Argentina’s national football team, has not reached an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal or any other team, and will only decide on his future after the end of the current season of French Ligue 1, where Paris Saint Germain is close to becoming champion, Jorge Messi, the father and manager, said today. 

“There is absolutely nothing with any team for next year. The decision will not be made before Lionel finishes the season with PSG,” Messi’s father wrote on his Instagram account. 

“Once the season ends, that will be the time to analyze the options and then make a decision. There are always rumors and many people use Lionel’s name to get visibility, but there is only one truth and we can assure there is nothing with anyone. Neither verbal nor signed nor agreed, and there won’t be until the season ends,” he wrote. 

Information about a deal between Messi and Al Hilal —which is currently coached by Argentine Ramon Díaz— was reported today by an international news agency, citing an unnamed “Saudi source close to the negotiations”. The report was picked up by media all over the world.  

In response, Jorge Messi accused the media of “deceiving and lying constantly and deliberately, with no proof”.

Despite Saudi Arabia’s strong interest in getting both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo —currently an Al-Nassr player— in their country’s football league, Messi and those close to him wish to remain in European elite football, despite the Arab team’s 400 million euros per season offer. 

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