Lionel Messi ‘top target for Saudi sides & league could change rules to allow Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry to be reignited’

LIONEL MESSI and Cristiano Ronaldo’s rivalry could be re-ignited, according to reports.

It has been suggested that the Saudi Pro League could adjust its rules to allow the Argentine star to move to the league.

APLionel Messi could join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia[/caption]

AFPThe Saudi Pro League are reportedly set to increase the allowance for foreign players at clubs[/caption]

Current rules state that clubs in the competition can only register seven foreign players, but it could be upped to eight to make it easier to sign players from abroad, according to ESPN.

Ronaldo joined Saudi side Al-Nassr after he signed a lucrative £173million-a-year deal with the club.

The move came after his contract was ripped up at Manchester United following his interview with Piers Morgan.

However, old-rival, Messi, is currently the biggest star in the world after winning the World Cup in Qatar last year.

And the report suggests that there are a number of clubs in the Saudi Pro League keen on acquiring his services.

The 35-year-old is currently at Ligue 1 giants PSG, but is in the last six months of his contract.

It had seemed that he was going to extend his deal with the club but is now believed to be reconsidering his options with MLS side Inter Miami also interested.

But more reports have said that Saudi outfits Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal has happy to offer him an eye-watering £306m-per-year deal.

Ronaldo and Messi were arch-rivals during their time at Real Madrid and Barcelona as both competed to be recognised as the best player in the world.

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The pair faced-off earlier this month as PSG played a Riyadh All-Stars XI during the French side’s mid-season tour of the Middle East.

Messi opened the scoring with a tidy finish, but was outshone by Ronaldo who bagged himself a brace.

Despite the Portuguese star’s goals, PSG ran out as 5-4 winners in a thrilling contest.

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