Lionel Messi is helping to break down barriers in Saudi Arabia, even though he refused to move to the region to sign for MLS club Inter Miami.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had several options to consider when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ends in 2023. The ex-Barcelona superstar became a free agent and was approached by teams in the Saudi Pro League.
Messi promotes Saudi Arabia
Messi decided to pursue the American dream by moving his family to Florida. He made an immediate impact on and off the field in the United States. He is preparing for the start of the 2024 campaign and is in the Middle East for the Riyadh Cup ties against Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr.
But Messi is also an ambassador for Saudi Arabia, although he plays for a club on the other side of the world. He also features in a promotional video broadcast on his Instagram account, which aims to combat misconceptions by breaking down metaphorical “walls”. A rather ironic position for the Argentinian who himself refused to play in Saudi Arabia…
