Argentine’s salary of €1bn over two years is twice Ronaldo’s outrageous take-home-pay at Al-Nassr

Lionel Messi is on the verge of earning twice Cristiano Ronaldo’s paycheck at a Saudi Arabia pro league, reportedly Al-Hilal, if only he accepts to team-up with Nigeria super star Odion Ighalo.

French outlet L’Equipe have revealed that a Saudi club, likely Odion’s Al-Hilal, have tabled a two-year deal worth €500 million (£434m/$548m) each season to Messi, for a move to the Middle East.

The Paris Saint-Germain star stands to earn €1bn over two years, a salary that is double that of Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, if he agrees to the Saudi switch.

Ronaldo’s salary was listed by Forbes as the highest that has ever been paid to any athlete, following the Portugal superstar’s outrageous deal at Al-Nassr.

L’Equipe reports that, with the Argentine’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain about to elapse in the summer, Barcelona had emerged as the early frontrunners for his signature. However, given the financial difficulties faced by the Spain giants, and the Saudis’ monstrous treasure, a Mid-Eastern move has gathered momentum, and reports on Tuesday even suggested it was a “done deal”.

But Goal reports that these claims have since been refuted by Messi’s father and agent Jorge, with potential stumbling blocks such as reticence from family members also a factor. Certainly, regardless of the stupendous sums on the deal for the Paris Saint-Germain attacker, L’Equipe says that a commitment will only be revealed by the player at the conclusion of the current season.