"It's poor that you still have to go there for a lot of money" - PSG superstar Lionel Messi slammed by Dutch legend amid reports of Saudi transfer 

Dutch legend Marco van Basten has lambasted Lionel Messi for his reported decision to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in the summer.

As per Agence France-Presse, the Argentine ace has verbally agreed a summer move to Al-Hilal. The Saudi Arabian club are said to be prepared to offer a massive £400 million contract to the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner. This would make him the highest-paid footballer in the world, eclipsing his rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Van Basten, though, isn't too pleased with Lionel Messi's decision to leave European football (via GOAL):

"I think it's poor. That you still have to go there for a lot of money... You've earned plenty, go do things you like. I can't imagine that. You are your own boss, aren't you? You can play football wherever you want, right?"

Lionel Messi's current contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer, but he's unlikely to sign a new one. As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are exploring ways to bring their club legend back to the Camp Nou amidst their financial issues.

Messi, meanwhile, has had a stellar 2022-23 campaign. He has scored 20 goals and provided 19 assists in 37 games across competitions for PSG. He also led Argentina to a 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar, winning the Golden Ball award.

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Pep Guardiola compares Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that striker Erling Haaland has a similar goalscoring mentality as Lionel Messi. However, he acknowledged the Argentine forward's longevity.

Guardiola managed Messi for four years at Barcelona, between 2008 and 2012, winning numerous trophies. Under his tutelage, the Argentine ace scored 73 goals across competitions in one season.

Lauding about the goalscoring mentality of Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi, Guardiola said (via The Guardian):

“In terms of goals and mentality, yeah. But Messi has done it every season in the last 10-15. Erling since he started at Salzburg has got to the same level in terms of goals. It’s almost every game, he scores a goal."

He added:

"One or two every game, he had the chances to do it, but Messi is the most complete player I have seen in terms of vision, dribbles, passes, competitiveness, in many things that are difficult. Hopefully Erling can be so close (to) Leo – that will be great for us and him.”

Haaland, 22, has scored 51 goals in 46 appearances across competitions since arriving at Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund last summer.