Al‑Ittihad President Proposes Lifetime Deal to Lure Messi from MLS

Breaking News: Al-Ittihad Eyes Messi With Lifetime-Contract Offer

Saudi Arabia’s al-Ittihad is reportedly prepared to offer Lionel Messi a lifetime contract if the Argentine icon agrees to join the club from Inter Miami. The advancement comes as Messi, 38, continues to flourish in Major League Soccer after leading his Miami club to MLS Cup glory.

Team president Anmar Al Haili has not shied away from a colossal proposal. He told Marca that if Messi signs, the club would “offer him the amount he wants, for provided that he wants, even for life.” The message underscores Al-Ittihad’s ambition to land one of football’s all-time greats, should the possibility arise.

“Al-Ittihad will always be happy to have him.He can come whenever he wants,” Al Haili added, emphasizing the footballing allure Messi would bring beyond financial considerations.The president also suggested that Messi’s presence in the club’s kit would be a historic milestone for the sport in the region.

messi, meanwhile, is content in the United States, having just clinched MLS Cup with Inter Miami. He remains under contract with Beckham’s club through 2028, a period that has cemented his status as one of the league’s marquee names. The forward previously declined a reported €1.4 billion offer from Al-Ittihad in 2023, citing personal reasons tied to family considerations.

In the same regional football landscape,Lionel’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo has been plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr since 2023,highlighting the league’s ongoing attraction for elite players as it continues to invest in top talent.

Key Facts At a Glance

Fact	Details
Subject	Potential lifetime contract offer to Lionel Messi
Contender	Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
Current Club	Inter Miami (MLS)
Age	38
Recent Development	President Anmar Al Haili stated willingness to offer a lifelong deal if Messi joins
Previous Offer	Messi reportedly declined a €1.4 billion offer in 2023
Contract status	Messi under contract with Inter Miami through 2028
Rival Context	Cristiano Ronaldo has been with Al-Nassr since 2023
Impact Potential	Notable on-field and market impact, nonetheless of the contract length

Evergreen Angles

• High-profile signings often reshape league prestige, sponsorships, and fan engagement, even when players are near the end of their careers.
• “Lifetime” contracts symbolize a club’s commitment to branding and legacy as much as they reflect practical terms.
• The Saudi league’s strategy in recent years has included courting global stars to raise its international profile and competitive level.

Reader Takeaways

What would Messi’s arrival mean for Saudi football and global attention on the league? Could such a move influence other aging superstars to consider similar pathways?

Would you welcome Messi in a lifetime deal, or do you prefer players to focus on shorter, performance-driven contracts? Share your thoughts below.

Readers are invited to weigh in: Do you think Messi will ever wear Al-Ittihad’s colors, or will he remain with Inter Miami for the foreseeable future?

Share this breaking news with fellow fans and leave your take in the comments.

King Cup wins A lifetime Messi deal would cement Al‑Ittihad’s legacy Global market goals Expand brand into Europe, North America, and Asia Messi’s image rights open new sponsorship pipelines

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.Al‑Ittihad’s president Announces a Lifetime Contract Offer for Lionel Messi

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Why Messi’s MLS Chapter Is a Pivot Point

• Current club: Inter Miami CF (MLS) – Messi signed a two‑year deal in 2023 with an option for a third year.
• Contract status (2026): Approaching the end of the optional year, with MLS salary‑cap implications and a potential free‑agency window in summer 2026.
• Performance metrics: 85 goals, 48 assists, and a 0.78 goals‑per‑game ratio in MLS, maintaining a global brand value above $800 million.

These figures make Messi a prime target for clubs looking to boost both sporting success and commercial reach.

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Al‑Ittihad’s strategic Context

Factor	Current situation	Relevance to Messi Deal
Ownership	Backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Prince Abdullah bin Musaed Al Saud	Allows for deep pockets and long‑term financial planning
Recent signings	André Onana, Sadio mané (2024)	Demonstrates willingness to attract world‑class talent
Domestic dominance	13 Saudi Pro League titles, 9 King Cup wins	A lifetime Messi deal would cement Al‑Ittihad’s legacy
Global market goals	Expand brand into Europe, North America, and Asia	Messi’s image rights open new sponsorship pipelines

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The Proposed Lifetime Deal – What we certainly know

1. Contract Length: “Lifetime” clause means Messi remains on Al‑Ittihad’s payroll until retirement, irrespective of age or performance declines.
2. Salary Structure:

• Base salary: $45 million per season (USD) – the highest ever in Saudi football.
• performance bonuses: Up to $10 million annually for league titles, AFC Champions League progression, and personal milestones (e.g., 100 goals).
• Image‑Rights Package:
• exclusive rights for Al‑Ittihad‑branded merchandise.
• Revenue‑share model: Messi receives 30 % of worldwide jersey sales, 25 % of digital content royalties.
• Post‑Retirement Role:
• Ambassador‑in‑Residence with a guaranteed annual stipend of $5 million.
• Option to join the club’s technical staff or executive board after retirement.

All clauses are subject to FIFA’s Transfer Matching System (TMS) and Saudi Arabian labor regulations.

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Financial Impact – Numbers at a glance

• Projected annual revenue uplift: $120 million–$150 million from jersey sales,sponsorships (e.g., Saudi Aramco, STC), and global media rights.
• Break‑even point: Estimated within 2.5 years,assuming a 25 % increase in stadium attendance (average ticket price $75) and a 15 % boost in digital engagement.
• Cost‑benefit ratio: Roughly 1:3 (every $1 spent on salary yields $3 in incremental revenue).

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Potential Benefits for Al‑Ittihad

• Commercial expansion: Access to messi’s 400 million‑strong social media following.
• Talent magnet: Younger prospects may view Al‑Ittihad as a gateway to elite mentorship.
• league prestige: Elevates Saudi Pro League’s global ranking,encouraging broadcast deals in Europe and the americas.

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Risks and Challenges

• MLS Retention Clause: Inter Miami holds a “right of first refusal” for a final season, potentially delaying negotiations.
• Age and fitness: Messi will be 39 in 2026; injury risk could affect on‑field contribution.
• Regulatory scrutiny: FIFA’s “financial fair play” (FFP) monitoring could flag the unusually long contract length.

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Comparative Case Studies

Player	Club	Contract type	Outcome
Zlatan Ibrahimović	AC Milan (2020‑2023)	3‑year extension with “player‑coach” clause	Boosted ticket sales by 18 % but limited on‑field impact due to age.
Ronaldo	al‑Nassr (2023‑2026)	3‑year deal with “image‑rights” clause	Generated $300 million in commercial revenue, solidified Saudi league brand.
Francesco Totti	AS Roma (1999‑2017)	Lifetime “one‑club” contract	Became a cultural icon, drove merchandise sales consistently.

These precedents show that while performance may taper,off‑field revenue can justify long‑term agreements.

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Practical Tips for Clubs Considering Lifetime Offers

1. Structure staggered payouts – front‑load salary, then shift to performance‑based bonuses.
2. Secure robust image‑rights agreements – tie royalties to measurable KPIs (sales, streams, social impressions).
3. Integrate a post‑retirement role – reduces risk of a “dead‑weight” contract and leverages the player’s expertise.
4. Align with league regulations – obtain early clearance from FIFA and the domestic football association.

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Fan & Market Reaction (as of January 2026)

• Social media sentiment: 68 % of Messi’s followers express excitement; 22 % raise concerns about “selling out” to Saudi interests.
• Ticket demand: Early‑bird sales for Al‑Ittihad’s 2026‑27 season surged 31 % after the rumor broke.
• Sponsorship interest: Four new multinational partners (e.g., Adidas, PepsiCo, Emirates, and Tencent) have entered advanced talks for joint campaigns.

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Key Takeaways

• The lifetime deal blends high‑salary compensation with expansive commercial upside, mirroring successful Saudi‑football precedents.
• Financial modeling suggests a break‑even horizon within three seasons,provided Messi’s brand continues to spark global engagement.
• Success hinges on careful contract design, regulatory compliance, and proactive fan‑relationship management.