Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami may have reshaped football in the United States, but fresh revelations from Saudi Arabia have reopened one of the sport’s most astonishing “what if” stories. Al Ittihad president Anmar Al Haili has disclosed that the Argentine legend turned down a mind-boggling offer worth around 1.4 billion euros, choosing family over fortune at the peak of global interest in his signature.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Since Messi’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain, Saudi Pro League clubs have relentlessly pursued the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Al Ittihad were at the forefront of that chase, and Al Haili has now confirmed just how far they were willing to go. According to him, Messi was offered 1.4 billion euros per year, a figure that would have shattered all existing salary records in football.

“I contacted him when his contract with PSG ended. I offered him 1.4 billion euros,” Al Haili said. “He rejected such a big offer for the sake of his family. Family is more important than money.”The Saudi club chief insisted that financial considerations were secondary to him. “Financial gain means nothing to me; I want Messi because he is the best player in history,” he said, adding that Al Ittihad would still welcome Messi with open arms. “He can come whenever he wants. I would offer him whatever salary he wants — even a lifetime contract.”

Messi ultimately chose to move to Inter Miami in 2023, prioritising life in the United States with his family. He has since signed an extension that will keep him at the MLS club until 2028.Saudi Arabia’s ambitions, however, remain undiminished. The league already boasts Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr on one of the richest contracts in sports history, complete with bonuses, ambassadorial roles and even a reported ownership stake.With Ronaldo already on board, Messi’s arrival would have taken the Saudi Pro League’s global appeal to unprecedented heights.