Lionel Messi and his family relax at a resort in Riyadh.

Gulf Today Report

The Argentine soccer star and Paris Saint-Germain player Lionel Messi arrived in the capital Riyadh on a visit to promote tourist places in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This is the second visit to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia.

It is noteworthy that Messi signed a contract several months ago with the Ministry of Tourism to be an ambassador for tourism in the Kingdom, and there were speculations that the player was close to moving to the Saudi League.

His name was even associated with Al Hilal Club.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khatib tweeted, "I am happy to welcome #Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences.

Lionel Messi and his children feed a deer in Riyadh.

We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality…"

Messi published a picture of one of the landscapes in Saudi Arabia through his Instagram a few days ago, and commented on it, “Who thought Saudi has so much green? I love to explore its unexpected wonders whenever I can. #visitsaudi”

The photo garnered over 5 million likes.

Many reports have circulated linking Messi to joining the Saudi League next season, similar to the player Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the Saudi club Al-Nasr.

Ronaldo joined Al-Nasr in January.

Fans chanted the name of the player Messi at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, in the first-leg meeting with Urawa Reds of Japan in the AFC Champions League final.

In that match, some Al-Hilal fans raised the Al-Hilal shirt, and the name of the Argentine star “Messi” was printed.

On the other hand, Messi is still linked to his French club with a contract that ends at the end of the current season, and his future is still pending between leaving for Saudi Arabia or staying in Paris or elsewhere, and there were reports that appeared in the past months that Al-Hilal was waiting for the player’s response to the offer made to him.