Lionel Messi's father denies £522m Al-Hilal transfer has been agreed

Jorge Messi, the father of Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel, has denied his son has agreed a world record £522m contract to join Al-Hilal.

Reports circulated on Tuesday morning that Messi had verbally agreed a contract with the Saudi Arabian club, which would see him become the best-paid player in world football once more.

Messi is expected to leave PSG in the summer, with neither party keen to exercise a 12-month extension clause.

The Argentine took an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia last week, which saw him miss first team training and subsequently suspended.

Messi apologised for the incident, claiming he thought he had a day off.

But that trip has only increased speculation that Messi is set to end his career in Europe to move to Saudi Arabia, where he could reignite his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.

But, in a lengthy statement, Jorge blasted the ‘fake news’ and said his son’s name is being used to drive interest.

‘There is absolutely nothing with any club for next year. The decision will never be made before Lionel finished the league with PSG,’ said Jorge.

‘Once the season is over it will be time to analyse and see what is there, and then make a decision.

‘There are always rumors and many use the name of Lionel to gain notoriety but the truth is only one and we can assure that there is nothing with anyone. Neither verbal, nor signed, nor agreed, and there will not be until the end of the season.

‘It seems to me a lack of respect towards the media where they respond, that there are those who consciously and deliberately deceive, without providing any proof of their claims, and wanting to turn any malicious rumor into news or that is directed by someone in favor of their interests. 

‘They would have to explain why they don’t contrast the information… They don’t want a truth to ruin their “news”‘.

Messi joined PSG on a free transfer from Barcelona in 2021, due to the club’s dire financial situation.

The Catalans are interested in re-signing Messi but they must comply with La Liga rules in order to do so and they are already walking a financial tightrope.