The Argentine star, Lionel Messi, recently brought a considerable surprise to many with his attire in Arab clothing, accompanied by speculations about his future.
In the recent match between Inter Miami and Montreal in the Major League Soccer (MLS), Messi was notably absent from the starting lineup. It is worth noting that Messi had previously endured a rough tackle during a match in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Nashville SC. Consequently, Messi’s presence in the stands during Inter Miami’s recent loss to Montreal raised concerns about the possibility of him facing a serious injury. However, all apprehensions were dispelled through Coach Gerardo Martino’s media statement regarding Messi’s absence from the field, emphasizing the necessity for him to rest after participating in four consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, Messi further surprised many by donning Arab attire. The image of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in Arab dress quickly circulated on social media alongside speculations about his future. Some even expressed a sense of understanding, asserting that this might indicate Messi’s readiness to depart Inter Miami and join a club in the Saudi Pro League.
In reality, Messi is not wasting time and is exploring other avenues for his post-football career. Consequently, Messi has enthusiastically ventured into the realm of fashion. It has been reported that Messi has agreed to collaborate with Savyar, a Saudi Arabian brand specializing in clothing and accessories. The imagery of Messi in Arab attire was captured during a promotional photoshoot for Savyar. While financial details of the contract remain undisclosed, according to various sources, the World Cup 2022 champion has received a substantial sum for his endorsement. A spokesperson for Savyar expressed optimism about the collaboration, citing Messi’s global fame and influence.
Furthermore, Messi had previously partnered with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism to become a tourism ambassador for the oil-rich nation. Messi’s contract spanned three years with a staggering remuneration of $25 million, a figure that stunned many, particularly his fervent fan base.
According to recent research findings, Lionel Messi’s involvement in the Visit Saudi campaign reached 747 million people across 92 countries in 20 different languages. A significant driver of public interest stemmed from the collaboration on Instagram between Visit Saudi and Messi, which subsequently garnered global attention toward tourism in Saudi Arabia, as evidenced by Google and YouTube search data. A representative from the Saudi Ministry of Tourism highlighted Messi’s participation not only as a catalyst for global attention towards Saudi Arabia but also as an effective communicator of significant themes such as women’s empowerment, cultural shifts, and tourism.