Lionel Messi Gets Up to $25 Million To Promote Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi, widely recognized as one of the greatest soccer players globally, has begun to reap the financial benefits of his new partnership with Saudi Arabia.

His recent photo opportunity in the Red Sea is estimated to have earned him approximately $2 million, serving as the initial step towards fulfilling his lucrative agreement with the kingdom, which is expected to be worth millions more.

Previously undisclosed details of Messi's role as a well-compensated brand ambassador for Saudi Arabia have emerged from a review of his contract with the tourism authority conducted by The New York Times.

The agreement outlines the terms and conditions of Messi's involvement in promoting the country. According to the contract, Messi will receive up to 22.5 million euros (around $25 million) over three years for relatively minimal work.

His responsibilities include making a few commercial appearances, posting on social media platforms, and enjoying all-expenses-paid vacations to Saudi Arabia with his family.

During these trips, he is expected to share images marked with a Saudi-approved hashtag to engage his extensive online following. However, the contract also contains an essential condition for Saudi officials: Messi is prohibited from making any statements or engaging in activities that might "tarnish" the image of Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi's Lucrative Saudi Arabia Tourism Contract

The recently reviewed document reveals further details of Lionel Messi's compensation as part of his endorsement deal with Saudi Arabia. Messi receives payment for fulfilling contractual obligations, the document said, per INSIDER.

For instance, he is paid approximately $2 million for taking one annual family vacation to Saudi Arabia, lasting five days, or two annual vacations of three days each. The Saudi government covers the travel expenses for Messi, which he can bring up to 20 of his family and friends.

In addition to the vacations, Messi must promote Saudi Arabia on his social media accounts, participate in the country's tourism campaign, engage in charitable work, and make guest appearances.

Each of these obligations earns him approximately $2 million. It should be noted that the reviewed document may need to reflect the most up-to-date terms of Messi's contract.

This lucrative agreement underscores Saudi Arabia's ongoing interest in the renowned soccer star, the second highest-paid athlete globally, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, Messi received a lucrative offer of $429 million annually to join Saudi Arabia's soccer club, Al Hilal. However, he ultimately decided to join Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer team based in Florida, co-founded by David Beckham.

Lionel Messi Previously Signed Saudi Arabia Tourism Contract but Was Bashed

Lionel Messi agreed to promote tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2021.

Like other sports-related ventures involving Saudi Arabia, such as LIV Golf, however, this deal faced criticism from many who labeled it "sportswashing," according to The Comeback.

Sportswashing refers to using sports to divert attention from or mitigate criticism of a country's human rights record or other controversial actions.

Critics argue that by engaging in such partnerships, the Saudi regime aims to leverage its financial resources and influence in the sports world to downplay or deflect attention from issues such as its human rights record and its alleged involvement in the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, among others.

Moreover, the deal had on-field consequences for Messi as well. Upon his return from an "unauthorized" absence to visit Saudi Arabia, his club Paris Saint-Germain suspended him in May.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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