Lionel Messi considered the option of moving to the Saudi Pro League before completing his switch to Inter Miami in July.<\/p>\n
The Argentine superstar, 36, was heavily linked with Al-Hilal, who eventually added his former Paris Saint-Germain colleague Neymar to their ranks during the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Messi opted to continue his playing career in Major League Soccer \u2014 but only after he realised a return to Barcelona was off the table.<\/p>\n
The World Cup winner told Time: \u201cThe truth is I had several options on the table that were interesting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to analyse them and think, even weigh them up with my family, before making the final decision to come to Miami.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy first option was to return to Barcelona but it was not possible. I tried to return and it did not happen.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cIt is also true that later I was thinking a lot about going to the Saudi league, where I know the country. They have created a very powerful competition that can become an important league in the near future.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the country\u2019s tourism ambassador, it was a destination that attracted me, especially because I\u2019ve enjoyed everything I have visited, because of how football is growing in the country and because of the effort they are putting into creating a top competition.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was Saudi Arabia or MLS and both options seemed very interesting to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite spurning the opportunity to play against eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East, Messi proved to be an instant hit in Miami.<\/p>\n He scored 10 goals in seven Leagues Cup matches as the Florida-based outfit lifted the trophy.<\/p>\n But Gerardo Martino\u2019s side missed out on a spot in the MLS play-offs, with their next competitive match set to take place when the 2024 season kicks off in February.<\/p>\n Lionel Messi is TIME\u2019s 2023 Athlete of the Year https:\/\/t.co\/qPR75Hgt6f pic.twitter.com\/EXqxl08lZN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 TIME (@TIME) December 5, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n![\"Lionel](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/1b8abb7e-9d1c-4e12-a250-e7c9eb34278f.jpg\")
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