Lionel Messi to Saudi Arabia hits logistical snag as Cristiano Ronaldo reunion thrown into doubt
Saudi Arabia's chances of signing Lionel Messi on loan are increasingly unlikely due to a logistical minefield, talkSPORT understands.
Saudi Pro League officials are keen to bring the Argentine superstar to the division, however doing so will prove tricky.
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As it stands, Messi won't play a competitive match until February following the end of Inter Miami's season.
This comes as the MLS franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs, meaning an early end to Messi's first campaign at the club.
A loan move to Saudi Arabia is possible, however a deal could only be signed from January 1 when the transfer window opens.
With the MLS preseason starting in February, it means that any loan deal would only last a matter of weeks.
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The Saudis could try and utilise an 'emergency' loan option to sign Messi outside of their official window, but MLS rules are clear that they will not sanction deals under these conditions.
The 36-year-old could strike a deal similar to the one which took David Beckham to AC Milan for six months, however Inter Miami are unlikely to want to be without their star man for the first half of the MLS season.
One possible solution is for Messi to train in the Kingdom while conducting ambassadorial duties during the MLS off-season.
Despite the interest, there is also still a degree of bad blood after Messi opted to join Inter Miami when Saudi officials had arranged a private jet to fly him to Al-Hilal.
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It means there is little hope of football's greatest individual rivalry being reignited this season.
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Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo spent 10 years betwen 2008 an 2018 battling it out with Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively as they dominated world football.
The duo won the Ballon d'Or every year barring one between 2008 and 2021, with the pair winning nine Champions League titles between them as well.
Ronaldo currently plies his trade at Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United in January.
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