The deal would have eclipsed that of Cristiano Ronaldo's contract at Al-Nassr which is worth around £177m ($220m) a year. While Messi's proposed wage would have greatly benefitted the World Cup winner, his would-be teammates had already felt the knock-on effect caused by such a lucrative contract.
Odion Ighalo claimed Messi's MLS move stopped him from getting a new deal at Al-Hilal (Image: Getty)
Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo saw his contract at Al-Hilal cut short after just one year at the club and believes that Messi's rumoured transfer was the reason behind missing out on an extension.
Speaking to sports journalist Oma Akatugba, the 34-year-old said: "I’m shocked [Messi didn’t go to Saudi Arabia] because it was part of why my contract was not being extended. We didn't agree but I thought it was a done deal because of the money they were offering in Saudi."
Akatugba added: "It's incredible he was going to be earning more than Ronaldo," before Ighalo claimed the offer was twice as much as the Portuguese star is earning. "I was shocked he didn’t go there, but he chose Miami,” Ighalo said.
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The Nigerian striker is currently without a club having played for 14 different sides over an 18-year career. Starting off in his home nation at Osun United F.C. the striker went on to feature at such clubs as Udinese, Watford and Manchester United.
Ighalo has spent the last two years in the Saudi Pro League, first with Riyadh based Al Shabab FC before a move to Al-Hilal.
The striker impressed during his two years in Saudi, scoring 22 times and registering four assists in 32 games for the side. He continued his impressive form at Al-Hilal with 43 goals and seven assists in 60 games.