Lionel Messi and his family traveled to Saudi Arabia just hours after PSG’s surprising 3-1 defeat to Lyon, despite Kylian Mbappe’s stunning goal. The match, held at the Parc des Princes, marked PSG’s sixth loss of the season, although they remain five points clear at the top of the league. Enzo Le Fée, Darwin Yongwa, and Bamba Dieng scored for Lyon, while Achraf Hakimi received a red card.
Following the match, Messi left for the Middle East, where he is expected to spend a few days. He was spotted at Riyadh airport, where his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays for Al Nassr.
This marks Messi’s third visit to Saudi Arabia, a role that is part of his duties as a Saudi tourism ambassador. He previously visited Jeddah to see the Red Sea and returned in January for a friendly match against Ronaldo’s Riyadh XI.
Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb welcomed Messi and his family, stating, “I’m pleased to greet Ambassador Lionel Messi of Saudi Tourism and his family on their second visit to Saudi Arabia.”
Before his departure, Messi shared his thoughts on social media, expressing surprise at the greenery in Saudi Arabia: “Who knew Saudi Arabia had so much greenery? I enjoy discovering its unexpected wonders whenever I get the chance.” Reports indicate that Messi could earn around $25 million annually for promoting tourism in the country.
