The rumor won’t go away. In fact it’s getting stronger by the day. A few months ago, the notion of Lionel Messi signing for Al-Hilal would have been fanciful to say the least.
But Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr, and above all, his embrace of his new home, has altered things dramatically. So much so, the word is that, for Messi, a deal with Al-Hilal is a preferred option to returning to former club Barcelona, a new adventure in the US or a homecoming in Argentina.
An enticing precedent has now been set. Let’s face it, few people believed that Ronaldo would make the move to Saudi Arabia when rumors began swirling during the World Cup, particularly as no specific club was initially mentioned.
Surely a move from Manchester United to a Champions League club in Europe would be his preferred choice? But on Dec. 30, 2022, the rumors became a reality.