Saudi Arabia’s obsession with Lionel Messi has taken another fascinating turn with an alleged jersey of him hung up in the locker room of Al Nassr
A recent photograph showing a jersey, allegedly that of Messi, inside Al-Nassr’s locker room has gone viral, leading to heated debates on its authenticity.
Is the photo of the jersey of Lionel Messi in the Al Nassr FC locker room real or fake
With the summer transfer window in full swing, Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson have become the latest soccer stars to set foot in Saudi Arabia. Henderson, the former Liverpool stalwart, recently secured a $16.5 million move to join Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq. Sadio Mane, not to be outdone, has taken a leaf out of Cristiano Ronaldo’s playbook by signing with Al-Nassr. The two were seen together during the launch event for the upcoming Saudi Pro League.
The mystery behind the alleged Lionel Messi shirt sighting
It was during this meeting that the now-infamous photograph was taken. In the backdrop, a shirt is visible hanging on a wall. While many fans are adamant it’s Messi’s shirt, others remain skeptical. Adding to the intrigue is the claim that the photographed location is Al-Nassr‘s locker room – a claim which has since been debunked.
2019 – European champions 🏆
2023 – #RoshnSaudiLeague stars 🫂Forever reds 🔴#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/WR6BBjOgAT
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) August 7, 2023
From Jeddah to Riyadh: Tracing Lionel Messi’s shirt
The event in question was hosted in Jeddah, a considerable distance from Riyadh where Al-Nassr is based. Despite the geographical discrepancy, one element remains undisputed – Messi’s iconic FC Barcelona jersey graced a wall. A video shared by @SPL_EN confirms its presence alongside jerseys of other soccer legends, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Pele.
Lionel Messi’s Saudi Arabian journey
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Messi’s jersey made headlines in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr’s arch-rivals, sold jerseys of the Argentine maestro. This stunt was apparently to overshadow Cristiano Ronaldo’s high-profile move to Al-Nassr.
The saga didn’t end there. In a surprising turn of events, Al-Hilal made a daring attempt to acquire Messi’s unparalleled services. Reportedly, Messi was presented with an astounding $1.5 billion contract spread over three years – an offer he declined, choosing instead to join Inter Miami.
Conclusion
The allure of Lionel Messi knows no boundaries, as his association, even if just in merchandise, causes a stir in soccer-loving nations. With confirmed sightings, sale stunts, and audacious contract offers, Messi’s indirect influence in Saudi Arabia’s soccer scene is palpable. As fans worldwide continue to venerate him, one thing is certain – Messi’s legacy transcends beyond the boundaries of a soccer field.
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