Lionel Messi has confessed that he considered moving to Saudi Arabia with Cristiano Ronaldo last summer.
The 36-year-old was a free agent when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired.
He apparently wanted to return to Barcelona, where he scored more goals and appeared in more games than any other player over a record-breaking 17-year stretch.
When that didn’t happen, he was obliged to explore his choices, one of which was joining the Saudi Pro League.
“I was thinking a lot about going to the Saudi league,” he told TIME.
“I know the country, and they’ve created a very strong competition that has the potential to become an important league in the near future.”
“It was a destination that attracted me as the country’s tourism ambassador, especially because I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve visited, because of how football is growing in the country, and because of the effort they are putting into creating a top competition.”
“It was Saudi Arabia or MLS, and both options seemed very interesting to me.”
Over the previous year, a slew of high-profile players have relocated to the Middle East, including former Liverpool and England captain Jordan Henderson, who now plays for Al-Ettifaq, managed by his former Reds teammate Steven Gerrard.
Al Nassr’s squad includes former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane, as well as Ronaldo, who has long contested the GOAT title with Messi.
Having both players in the league would have been a great coup for the division, but in the end, the Argentine chose to join Inter Miami in the MLS.
He has now scored 11 goals in 14 games, assisting the club in winning the Leagues Cup after they defeated Nashville on penalties in the final.
Messi claims he has found it “pretty easy” to adjust to life in America.
“For the time being, we have nothing to complain about.” The most difficult thing to adjust to may be the traffic, albeit it was also complicated in Paris. Then there’s the summer heat and humidity.
“Although being on the beach or on vacation can often be pleasant, for playing sports, training or playing games, especially in the summer, perhaps it is a little too much, and that shows.”