Riyad Mahrez may soon find himself sharing a dressing room with one of football’s all-time greats, as Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ahli intensify efforts to sign Lionel Messi for the second half of the upcoming season.
According to reports from L’Équipe, the reigning Asian Champions League winners have revived their pursuit of the Argentine icon, with negotiations reportedly gaining momentum ahead of the January transfer window.
Messi’s current deal with Inter Miami is set to expire in December, and Al-Ahli are keen to capitalise on the opportunity after missing out on him in the summer of 2023, when he left Paris Saint-Germain.
Two years later, the local championship has not lost hope, while the Argentine (38 years old) will once again find himself free from December, the French publication noted.
Although financial specifics remain under wraps, it is believed that Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, is prepared to make an extraordinary offer to lure the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to Jeddah.
Al-Ahli’s ambitious plan not only aims to add unmatched star power to their ranks but also to create a potentially mouth-watering attacking partnership.
Mahrez, Algeria’s national team captain, joined the club in 2023 and has become a key figure on the right flank.
Messi, who traditionally operates centrally or from the left, would perfectly complement Mahrez’s style, offering Al-Ahli a formidable duo of left-footed maestros.
Several former global stars, such as David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, took advantage of the end of the American championship to return to European competitiveness for a few months, L’Équipe noted, suggesting Messi may also be open to a transitional move with one eye on the 2026 World Cup, potentially his final international outing.
However, any anticipated partnership between Mahrez and Messi might be delayed.
Mahrez is expected to join Algeria for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco during the winter, which could see him absent when Messi arrives.
Nevertheless, fans of both players are already dreaming of the creative brilliance that could unfold once they take to the pitch together.
While Al-Ahli continue to push for what would be a historic signing, Inter Miami are reportedly determined to hold onto their talisman.
The coming months will reveal whether Messi’s next chapter lies under the Saudi sun — and whether football enthusiasts will witness a dream pairing in green and white.
