Inter Miami take drastic action with Lionel Messi's 'bodyguard' to stop him joining Saudi Pro League club

Inter Miami are set to take drastic action in an attempt to keep Lionel Messi at the club.

Messi, 38, has played for Inter Miami in the MLS since he transferred from PSG in 2023.

On Sunday (July 6), the former Barcelona man rolled back the years by scoring a brace in Miami's 4-1 victory away at Montreal.

Then, on Monday (July 7), French outlet L’Equipe reported that Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, currently AFC Champions League holders, were ‘in talks’ with Messi regarding a potential move to the Middle East when the Argentinian becomes a free agent this winter.

If the deal was to be completed, he would join former Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Ivan Toney and Roberto Firmino at the club.

And in turn would leave behind his close colleagues Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.

However, the Herons could be set to use a surprise tactic which could, in fact, tempt Messi to stay in the US.

Lionel Messi in action for Inter Miami (Credit:Getty)

On Monday afternoon, Fabrizio Romano posted an update on X.

He wrote: “Understand Inter Miami have now started talks with Atlético Madrid for Rodrigo de Paul deal! Inter Miami want to keep its ambitions high after the Club World Cup with WC champion de Paul as main target. Told Rodrigo is open to the move to Inter Miami with talks underway."

Of course, De Paul, 31, is a close friend of and Argentina teammate with Messi, with both players forming part of the 2022 World Cup-winning side.

During the tournament, he was often referred to as Messi’s “bodyguard” due to him constantly backing him up on the field.

When he spoke to Argentinian outlet Ole in 2023, De Paul voiced his admiration for his compatriot.

“I'm close because I love him, I feel like my friend, we talk a lot,” De Paul said (translated from Spanish to English).

Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi are friends (Credit:Getty)

“He shows me affection all the time. Yesterday was his gala, and he says to me, 'So, how are you, is your leg better?' And I wanted to say 'go put on your suit, it's your day', but we got past that, and then it's 'yes, friend, I'm better now'.

“It's incredible. I love spending time with him, we have a lot of fun, with all the kids, but well, we have like a beautiful group.

“We are kind of idiots with the things that go viral, we boss each other around, we laugh, we have a little group or things that we see that happened at the World Cup.”