Fresh from cementing his legacy in North America by leading Inter Miami to their maiden MLS Cup title, Lionel Messi finds himself at the centre of yet another seismic financial tug-of-war. Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad have reportedly reignited their interest in the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, with club president Anmar Al-Haili publicly declaring his willingness to offer the Argentine a "blank cheque" to leave Florida.
The development, reported by Diario AS and Sportskeeda, threatens to disrupt Inter Miami’s preparations for the 2026 campaign. While Messi’s focus has been on the upcoming Club World Cup on US soil, the sheer scale of the financial package on the table in the Middle East represents a final, astronomical test of his resolve.
The ‘Blank Cheque’ Proposal
Al-Ittihad’s pursuit is driven by an obsession to unite Messi with a league that already boasts Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. Speaking candidly about the failed attempt to sign Messi in 2023, Al-Haili revealed the staggering numbers involved in the previous rejection—and his intent to go further this time.
“We presented him with an offer of €1.4 billion (£1.2bn), but the player refused because his family wanted America,” Al-Haili admitted. “It is surprising that the player was able to refuse such a huge offer for the sake of his family. But we respect this.”
However, the rejection has not deterred the Jeddah-based club. Al-Haili has now effectively removed the salary cap, stating: “If Leo agrees to sign with Al-Ittihad, I would offer him whatever he wants, for as long as he wants, even for life.”
Miami’s Counter-Argument: The Sporting Challenge
For Inter Miami and owner Jorge Mas, the timing is delicate. The club is currently basking in the glow of their 2025 MLS Cup triumph—a 3-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps in December that finally delivered the silverware the project was built to secure.
Manager Tata Martino has already begun planning for the 2026 season, with the squad due to report for preseason on January 17. The primary motivation for Messi staying remains the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup. Inter Miami have qualified as the host nation representative, giving Messi one final chance to compete against Europe’s elite—potentially including his former club Barcelona or Real Madrid—in a competitive setting.
Sources in Miami suggest that the sporting challenge of the Club World Cup, combined with his family’s settled life in Fort Lauderdale, makes a move highly unlikely. Yet, the concept of a "name your price" offer adds a layer of intrigue to what was expected to be a quiet offseason.
Legacy vs. Liquidity
The choice facing Messi is a familiar one: legacy or liquidity. At 38, he has achieved everything in the game. The MLS Cup win completed his North American mission, theoretically freeing him to accept a final payday. However, Messi’s rejection of the €1.4bn offer in 2023 demonstrated that lifestyle and family stability hold more weight than raw cash.
Unless Al-Ittihad can offer a lifestyle guarantee that rivals Miami—something Al-Haili hinted they failed to do last time—the "blank cheque" may remain unsigned. But as long as the offer stands, the speculation will hover over Chase Stadium.
Check the latest Lionel Messi next club odds to see if the bookmakers believe a shock Saudi switch is actually in play.