According to AFP, it is now clear that the 35-year-old Argentine will play in Saudi Arabia next season and it should be a monster deal.

"The contract is exceptional. It's huge," a source familiar with the negotiations told AFP, without revealing the club.

PSG's only comment on the data is that the Argentine remains under contract until June 30, when his contract with the French club expires.

Suspended after travel to Saudi Arabia

Messi was suspended last week by Qatar-owned PSG after travelling to Saudi Arabia, where he is a tourist ambassador, without the club's permission. Media reported that the Argentine would be suspended for two weeks, but the 35-year-old was already included at PSG's training on Monday.

Messi himself commented on his trip by saying that he thought he was free and that was why he left Paris.

Messi now looks set to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps to the Middle East, as the Portuguese signed a huge deal with Saudi club Al-Nassr last winter.

Ronaldo's contract expires in June 2025 and is reported to be worth €400 million, around £4.5 billion, making him the highest-paid athlete in the world according to Forbes.

CLIP: Messi speaks out after Saudi trip: 'Thought we were free' (May 5, 2023)

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Watch Messi speak out on Instagram. Photo: Instagram/Bildbyrån.