Will Lionel Messi Join Al Ahli After Inter Miami Contract Expiry?

The future of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami is clouded in a bit of uncertainty as the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's current contract is poised to expire at the end of December 2025. Messi joined the club in July 2023 and agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract, which will expire at the end of the year. The 38-year-old looks poised to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but his club career before the major tournament is still surrounded by some mystery because of his inability to sign a new contract with the Major League Soccer (MLS) club. Amid this, Messi now appears to be linked with a stunning new destination with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ahli FC.

Will Al Ahli Sign Messi After Inter Miami Contract Expires?

Now, the question is will Al Ahli Sign Lionel Messi? It is now being reported that Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli have already held talks with Messi's representatives over the possibility of signing the 38-year-old once his contract expires with Inter Miami. It's appears that there is a chance that Al Ahli Sign Messi as they look to possibly rekindle his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, who has only recently signed a new contract with Al-Nassr as well.
The financial details that can help Al Ahli Sign Messi have not been made public yet, but the club reportedly aims to do ‘whatever it takes’ to help tip the scales to achieve a dream of Messi Al Ahli player. It's claimed that in the effort for Al Ahli Sign Messi, the Saudi Pro League side's hierarchy has been trying to convince Messi Al Ahli transfer, as they hope he'll bring more prestige to their football scene as Saudi Arabia will act as the hosts of the 2034 FIFA World Cup as well. They realize that the Messi Inter Miami Contract is moving closer to expiration, as the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner can actually secure a pre-contract agreement to help Al Ahli Sign Messi because of the Messi Inter Miami Contract being so close to running out.
The Saudi Pro League side are reportedly not giving up for Al Ahli Sign Messi and they will be offering him a lucrative financial offer to ensure that the Messi Inter Miami contract is not extended and he moves to Saudi Arabia to help add more popularity to the division.

How Has Lionel Messi Performed At Inter Miami?

Despite the uncertainty over the Messi Inter Miami contract and Messi next club, there is little doubt about the kind of impact made by Leo at Inter Miami. The Argentine legend joined the MLS club in July 2023 and has been responsible for significantly elevating the popularity of not only Inter Miami, but the entire MLS division.

Messi has scored 52 goals in just 64 appearances for Inter Miami, helping them win their first three trophies in their history. Indeed, Messi has helped Inter Miami win the MLS Leagues Cup (in 2023) as well as the MLS Supporters' Shield and the MLS Regular Season Eastern Conference Championship titles during his two-year stint with them. In 2025, Messi has scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 25 games for Inter Miami.

Messi helped Inter Miami reach the knockout stages of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the first time in their history that the MLS club have done so in any major international tournament. Inter Miami are currently in sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference Table with 32 points from 17 games, and are challenging for the championship. However, there remains uncertainty over Messi next club and the Messi Inter Miami contract as the Saudi Pro League side push to complete an ambitious move of bringing Messi to the Saudi Pro League and ensure that the football world can see the Messi vs Ronaldo battles happen one more time in the domestic scene.