Footy stars who have REJECTED huge Saudi contracts including three Chelsea strikers and two Ballon d’Or winners
SAUDI ARABIA has attracted a number of football stars – mainly veterans – with some lucrative contracts throughout the years.
Cristiano Ronaldo stands out after his £173million-a-year move to Al-Nassr in December, which made him the highest-paid sportsman ever.
Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema is set to join the five-time Ballon d’Or winner with a transfer to Al-Ittihad.
And Benzema appears ready to link up with France comrade and Chelsea star N’Golo Kante, who is also expected to sign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side when his contract expires on June 30.
However, there are some who turned Saudi Arabia’s megamillions down for top-level football, despite their advanced age.
SunSport takes a look at FIVE star players who opted against the Saudi riches:
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is on his way out of Paris Saint-Germain for the MLS where he will join David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
But Barcelona legend Messi looked set to reignite his historic rivalry with former Real foe Cristiano Ronaldo by joining Al-Nassr’s nemesis Al-Hilal in the summer.
The Saudi giants offered the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner a staggering deal worth a reported £1billion, which would see him overtaking Ronaldo as they highest paid athlete of all time.
However, the Argentina captain opted for the MLS to enjoy his “day to day life” more.
Luka Modric
Real Madrid superstar and 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric was also offered the chance to reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the summer.
Al-Hilal offered Modric €200million (£171m) to play in the Saudi Pro League for three seasons.
The ex-Tottenham midfielder refused the Middle Eastern outfit’s advances and instead decided to spend one more season at Real.
The Croatia international made the decision due to his family being settled in Madrid.
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Romelu Lukaku
Al-Hilal are not giving up on their efforts to sign a top star in the summer as they also approached Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku, who spent last season on loan at Inter Milan, was offered an incredible £21million-a-year deal from the Saudi giants.
Reports also suggest the striker has already met with club officials to discuss a move.
However, the Belgium international doesn’t appear keen despite his unwillingness to play at Stamford Bridge as he prefers a permanent move to Inter.
Alvaro Morata
Atletico Madrid star Alvaro Morata has gone through quite the nomadic career.
Al-Taawoun offered Morata stability with a whopping €50million (£43m)-per-year offer.
However, the striker appears to have found tranquility at Atletico and opted to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
The Chelsea flop turned the Saudi giants down and signed a new deal with Atleti which will be announced soon.
Olivier Giroud
AC Milan star Olivier Giroud was also approached with an “important offer” from Saudi Arabia, according to transfer expert Nicolo Schira.
Giroud was targeted by an unnamed Saudi club that was looking to splash the cash in the summer.
But France record goalscorer, who spent six years at Arsenal and another three at Chelsea, turned them down.
The 36-year-old striker wants to continue playing in Europe despite his advanced age.