O príncipe Mohammad bin Salman, quando quis turbinar a Liga Saudita de Futebol visando a Copa do Mundo de 2034, criou um projeto de futebol. Bancou eventos dentro e fora do seu país, e comprou o Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal e Al-Nassr (os 4 principais times do país), dando a seus primos (outros príncipes) suas gestões.

Para cada um, um craque daquele momento foi presenteado: Neymar no Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo no Nassr, Benzema no Ittihad e… Roberto Firmino no Ahli!

Firmino? Pois é, ele estava em alta na Inglaterra, mas é sabido que a oferta original era para o argentino Messi. Ele, por sua vez, preferiu ir para Miami (USA) do que para a Arábia Saudita (por vários motivos, especialmente pela esposa não demonstrar interesse de viver em outra cultura).

Agora, lê-se que o Al-Ahli (que tentou tirar Vinícius Jr do Real Madrid) volta com um “poço de petróleo” para convencer Lionel Messi a ir para o Oriente Médio.

Convencerá?

IN ENGLISH – When Prince Mohammad bin Salman aimed to boost the Saudi Football League with an eye on the 2034 World Cup, he initiated a comprehensive football project. He funded events both within and outside the country, and purchased Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr (the four main teams in the country), entrusting their management to his cousins (other princes).

Each of these teams was then gifted a star player of that moment: Neymar went to Al-Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Nassr, Benzema to Al-Ittihad, and… Roberto Firmino to Al-Ahli!

Firmino? Indeed. He was performing well in England, but it’s known that the original offer was for Argentine star Lionel Messi. Messi, however, preferred to move to Miami (USA) rather than Saudi Arabia (for various reasons, especially his wife’s lack of interest in living in another culture).

Now, it’s reported that Al-Ahli (which also tried to sign Vinícius Jr from Real Madrid) is returning with a “bottomless oil well” of an offer to convince Lionel Messi to move to the Middle East.

Will they succeed?