Why I will never sign a player like Lionel Messi — Turki Al-Dhabaan

Turki Al-Dhabaan, the chief of Saudi Arabian football club Al-Tai FC, has made headlines after vowing to never sign a player like Lionel Messi for his team. This statement comes after Messi’s recent underwhelming performance during Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) Champions League round of 16 match against Bayern Munich.

Al-Dhabaan reportedly made the comments during an interview on the Saudi Arabian television channel SBC. He expressed his disinterest in signing a world-class player who is “saturated” and watches matches from the stadium, referencing Messi’s subdued display against Bayern Munich.

Despite the criticism, Messi remains one of the most sought-after players in world football, with reports suggesting that Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are determined to sign the Argentine superstar when his contract with PSG expires this summer.

Al-Tai FC’s rivals, Al-Nassr, have already made a high-profile signing in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo on a free transfer in December 2022. However, Al-Dhabaan maintains that he will not sign players for the sake of it, emphasizing the importance of finding the right fit for his team.

The comments from Al-Dhabaan have garnered mixed reactions from football fans and pundits alike. While some have criticized his remarks as disrespectful towards Messi, others have praised his commitment to building a cohesive team rather than simply chasing big-name signings.

As the summer transfer window approaches, it remains to be seen whether Al-Tai FC or any other Saudi Arabian club will make a move for Messi. Nonetheless, Al-Dhabaan’s comments have certainly added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding the future of one of football’s most iconic players.