Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, money and the sad derby of shooting stars in Arabia- Corriere.it

Money is a temptation. Saudi Arabia’s money, which is a lot, is a big temptation. International sport knows it and Italian politics knows it. Today we deal with the first. why
Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, after stellar careers, do they run to perform for princes and sheikhs, regardless of the memory they will leave? We have already given the answer: money.

The Argentine Messi, in the classic of embarrassment, was slightly further back. But he seems determined to catch up. The world champion, seven times Ballon d’Or, to honor a 30 million (!) advertising contract with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, flew to Riyadh. PSG had just lost at home to Lorient, and the fans didn’t like it (remember that, fielding Messi-Neymar-Mbapp, PSG never got beyond the last 16 of the Champions League: a masterpiece in its own way). On the horizon, for Messi, there would be a contract to play in Arabia for Al-Hilal: 500 million a year (!!) for two yearsplus the option for a third party, plus sponsorship deals.

The recent story of Ronaldo is equally instructive. First the failed attempt to break through in Europe with Juventus, and related financial aftermath. Then the melancholic return to Manchester. Finally, after the World Cup in Qatar with Portugal, CR7 landed in the Saudi team Al-Nassr, where he earns 200 million a season, but he doesn’t seem happy. A few days ago he pushed away an opposing technician who asked for a selfie. The villa with swimming pool and Giorgina, the collection of exaggerated cars – the latest arrival, a Smart with a platinum roof – do not seem to console him.

Messi and Ronaldo aren’t just two hugely talented footballers. Grotesque luxuries aside, they are also professionals who have been able to manage themselves — physically, mentally — and remain at the highest levels for twenty years (Messi made his debut in Barcelona in 2004, Ronaldo in Manchester United in 2003). Today they have assets that would allow them to live splendidly and guarantee the future for several generations. It’s not enough for him. They have a lot of money, they want even more. Even if, evidently, they don’t seem to bring him joy. Money – the intelligent rich know this – is used to not think too much about money, as almost all human beings are forced to do. So Messi and Ronaldo, even if they don’t need to. Unless that’s their idea of ​​happiness and the Shooting Stars Derby in the Saudi desert. In this case, I’m on the right track.