Stoichkov: 'Messi refused to go to Saudi Arabia because he still loves football'
"Players don't play for money, but for love," Stoichkov told Stats Perform. "Messi's refusal to go to Saudi Arabia shows greatness. I don't care about salary or bonuses, the important thing is to play and be respected. Agents will take care of other things. Messi comes to MLS to compete, play and not care about money, because he loves football."
Rumors about Messi's move to Saudi Arabia to play football appeared dense in the last months of the PSG shirt. According to The Athletic, Al Hilal has offered to pay $ 1.3 billion under a three-year contract - a record amount in football - to bring the Argentine star to the Saudi Pro League and continue the rivalry with great rival Cristiano. Ronaldo.
But the owner of seven Golden Balls refused to join Inter Miami with a seasonal salary of about 60 million USD. Messi's total contract value for two years will range from $125 million to $150 million. He is paid a share of revenue from new subscriptions to watch MLS on Apple TV, as well as a part of the increase in profits of sportswear company Adidas in the US.
At the age of 36, Messi has repeatedly admitted that age may be an issue preventing him from defending the World Cup with Argentina in 2026. However, Stoichkov believes that Messi will participate in the next World Cup, due to the United States. will host many important and prestigious tournaments in the coming years, including Copa America 2024 and co-host of the 2026 World Cup.
"Messi will attend the 2026 World Cup," said the Bulgarian legend. "The first goal will be to defend the Copa America title - the tournament held at Messi's new home. And when Messi sets a goal, he will fight and want to win. Messi also wants to qualify and defending the 2026 World Cup. When I was playing, I was always preparing to improve every day, and so is Messi now."
Inter Miami announced the signing of a two-and-a-half-year contract with Messi on July 15, before debuting the Argentine superstar in a grand ceremony titled "The Unveil" a day later. The 36-year-old star is likely to play his first match against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup at the home of DRV PNK on July 21.
Stoichkov, a Bulgarian football legend, was a member of Barca's dream team under Johan Cruyff. He won the 1994 Golden Ball when he led his hometown team to win bronze at the 1994 World Cup. After hanging up his boots, Stoichkov pursued a coaching career for 10 years, from 2004 to 2013, but was unsuccessful. The former striker then moved to work at Univision television station in Miami.
