Lionel Messi was absent from PSG’s last match last week. The club suspended him for two weeks after he voluntarily relocated to Saudi Arabia, where Messi serves as a tourism ambassador for this Gulf nation.

Yesterday, the entire world was in a frenzy after Football Talk’s Twitter page confirmed the successful transfer of Leo Messi to Saudi Arabia. Messi has agreed to transfer to the Middle East in a £400 million deal with the Al-Hilal club, according to AFP. Messi will “sᴛᴇᴀʟ” Ronaldo’s title as the world’s highest-paid athlete when he joins the Al-Nassr club.

This occurrence is not “sᴜᴅᴅᴇɴ” but rather the result of a series of movements. After winning the World Cup in Qatar in December of last year, Messi has become the focal point of a peculiar power sᴛʀᴜɢɢʟᴇ between PSG, the Qatar-owned team, and Qatar’s neighbor Saudi Arabia.

Messi’s number-one opponent for many years has been Cristiano, who has spent half a season with the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. In just three months after Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January of this year, the club’s Instagram following increased from 800,000 to over 14 million.

However, Al Nassr has experienced disturbances on the coaching bench, the resignation of club president Al-Muammar, a decline in performance, and speculation that a top player has departed. In his twilight years, Ronaldo is qualified to compete in such a team and tournament.

Ronaldo nonetheless became the highest-paid player in the annals of football after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract worth £173 million per year. Messi has also secured a lucrative contract with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Messi is going through a turbulent period with PSG club and fans

Messi’s role is to promote tourism, but he has also attracted global interest in Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup as part of its “Vision 2030” plan. The nation aims to “reduce its reliance on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, and tourism.”

As usual, the story of Messi and Ronaldo is at the forefront of public discourse, and the topic of discussion today is “how the actions of these two superstars will affect their reputation in the future. when they both depart from the sport.”

The legacies of both Ronaldo and Messi in football are monumental. Many will recall the highlights of these two football players’ careers rather than their entire careers. A few Ronaldo supporters mentioned Ronaldo’s missed penalty kιϲk in the 2008 Champions League final penalty shootout. They preferred to discuss his outstanding headers in other games.

Messi’s supporters typically do not wish to discuss his performances in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals, but rather criticise Gonzalo Higuain for his missed opportunities in front of goal.

Failures that mar the careers of athletes are frequently overlooked if they go on to triumph. This is also how sporting traditions are created. Fans of Messi and Ronaldo assert that the pair’s recent actions in the twilight of their careers are designed to capitalize on their remaining ability in a variety of contexts.

In contrast to other occupations, football players are well compensated and will pursue the highest income possible. This is not unusual. Countries and organizations are now competing to offer football superstars contracts that are nearly impossible to refuse.

It was not the failure with PSG in the Champions League that made Messi think of the Middle East, but the aura he enjoyed pushed him back to this country.

Throughout their playing careers in the United States, Johan Cruyff, and George Best earned lucrative retirements. Pele joined the New York Cosmos and appeared in so many commercials that an episode of The Simpsons mentioned it. In later MLS seasons, the same situation occurred with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Andrea Pirlo, Steven Gerrard, and Thierry Henry.

In a brief period of time, specifically in 2010, the Russian league became a haven for “retiring” players. Roberto Carlos, 37, has made 28 appearances for Anzhi Makhachkala as a defensive midfielder, alongside colleague Samuel Eto’o.

Then there was the Chinese football ᴇxᴘʟᴏsɪᴏɴ. The final performances of Gabriel Batistuta and Xavi took place in Qatar. Fernando Torres last donned his cleats in Japan, where Andres Iniesta continues to play for Vissel Kobe despite turning 39 the following week. And the Turkish Sᴜᴘᴇʀ Lig is a great place for Premier League “old ᴍᴇɴ” to play.

Those who admire Messi or Ronaldo have no reason to object to their actions. After devoting so much time to football during the prime of their careers, both players are now seeking to maximize their income in their final years.

Messi and Ronaldo have become extremely wealthy due to football and brand endorsements. Why is the perfume advertisement in Saudi Arabia distinct from the World Cup advertisement? The fact that Pep Guardiola and Xavi are ambassadors for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup campaign has no bearing on their reputations.

It was Ronaldo who also contributed to attracting Messi to Saudi Arabia

The extent to which Messi and Ronaldo’s association with Saudi Arabia impacts their legacies is primarily determined by the degree to which fans expect the adored player to serve as a moral exemplar. Should two of the sport’s all-time greats be more vocal about what they believe the sport’s future holds?

For some, it would be ideal if Messi and Ronaldo were not involved in monetization, but both players have historically been receptive to competing offers. And in 2023, Saudi Arabia will make attractive proposals for these two superstars, not clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Critics can (and should) correctly point out Saudi Arabia’s argument and how it uses sports to rebrand its image. Messi and Ronaldo’s detractors have good cause to demand Messi and Ronaldo, both of whom have tarnished their own reputations in Spain with allegations of tax fraud and ʀᴀᴘᴇ.

While we shouldn’t be surprised by the two’s pursuit of the highest salaries, it is still somewhat disappointing. Messi’s agent declined to comment in December on whether the superstar would be prepared to accept large sums of money from a country implicated in human rights violations.

During his debut in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, Ronaldo stated, “For me, this is a wonderful opportunity not only for football but also to change the mentality of the younger generation. I am aware of my wants. I really do not care what others say. I am thrilled to be here.

I am a distinctive player, and it’s a pleasure to be present. I have previously broken every record, and I will continue to do so here. This contract is distinct, but I’m a special player, so it’s nothing out of the ordinary for me.”

Despite accusations of dictatorship, human rights violations, or terrorist financing, Saudi Arabia is now home to two legends Ronaldo and Messi

Saudi Arabia has also invested in other forms of entertainment as part of its “Vision 2030” plan. This month, the Sᴜᴘᴇʀ Dome in Jeddah will host WWE’s Night of Champions pay-per-view event and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund will sponsor the controversial breakaway LIV Golf tournament.

The venue also hosted a rematch between heavyweight champions Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua for the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles. When queried about Joshua’s participation in regional matches, Eddie Hearn stated that such criticism is unjustified due to the prevalence of Western brands and sports leagues. there.

Hearn stated, “I passed Gucci, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Versace, and Ralph Lauren last night while driving down the street and reflecting on all the criticism I’ve received.” The relationship between Messi and Ronaldo and Saudi Arabia is merely the exploitation of the image of two mass-appealing, modern brands.

The purpose of the signing of these two superstars is to attract large investments from affluent individuals who want to be entertained or who use entertainment to enhance their image. State funding helps ambitious football clubs pay the salaries of two of the greatest players in history.

By accepting money from Saudi Arabia, did Messi and Ronaldo tarnish their legacy? Those who once regarded them as the finest player of all time cannot be dissatisfied with their recent selections. Both achieved football superstardom by exerting greater effort and labor than their predecessors. Their illustrious careers were established with ᵇˡᵒᵒᵈ, sweat, and tears, not fake glitz.

The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo at Barcelona and Real Madrid – the two clubs that will play the annual Spanish Sᴜᴘᴇʀ Cup in Saudi Arabia – will serve as the “backbone” of any discussion regarding who is the greatest. greater.

It’s a shame that two of the most talented figures the world of football has ever produced exist during a time when the sport is increasingly used as an ornament for individuals. power, rather than for the vast majority of ball enthusiasts.