One after another revelations, one rumor after another, just two years later, the large-scale live-action workplace soap opera - "Where Did Macy Go" launched a second season.
In the latest week, the transfer scandal related to Messi has overshadowed the end of the season at Paris Saint-Germain. Especially the wealthy Riyadh Crescent, their boldness and determination are really eye-catching.
Although Messi's father insisted to the famous Spanish media outlet EFE that his son will not decide his future until the end of the season, the words "total contract price of 500 million to 600 million euros", "verbal agreement", "meeting important people" and "serious consideration" that appear in news reports are enough to show that the distance between the Argentinian and the Saudi giants is not particularly far away.
Asia's No. 1 giant
Compared to the occasional sparkle of Riyadh's victory, the Riyadh Crescent, founded in 1957, definitely deserves the title of "king": 18 top-flight titles, first on home; 4 AFC Champions League winners, first in the continent.
At the Club World Cup in February, Riyadh Crescent achieved another great result, knocking out South American giants Flamengo in the semi-finals, becoming the first Saudi team in history to reach the World Cup final.
Despite losing 5-3 to Real Madrid in the final, Riyadh Crescent had the last laugh in its social media traffic battle thanks to the sky-high prize money announced by the Saudi prince and the sports minister (nearly $400,000 each).
But this season, perhaps affected by a prolonged league suspension and the Qatar World Cup — 12 of Saudi Arabia's 26-man World Cup squad come from the team, Riyadh Crescent's multi-line record is not ideal: fourth in the league, the Super Cup semi-finals and the AFC Champions League final just lost to Urawa Rubys.
It is worth mentioning that Nigerian striker Ighalo, who played for Changchun Yatai and Shanghai Shenhua, is currently the top scorer in Riyadh Crescent. So far this season, he has scored 18 goals in 22 appearances, 13 ahead of the team's second goalscorer, Michael.
In the history of the Asian Intercontinental Championship, the Riyadh Crescent has only played the Chinese team once, and that was the final stage of the Asian Club Football Championship on December 28, 1986.
In the match against Liaoning, Riyadh Crescent seized two chances and scored two goals in the 35th and 68th minutes. Liaoning international striker Marin pulled a goal back in the 70th minute but failed to change the result of the loss...
Ighalo is currently playing for Riyadh Crescent.
The Saudi tycoons are too arrogant
It is true that with Qatari capital's yesterday, today and tomorrow, Saudi football has been a storm in this year, which is no surprise.
Everyone can guess that Riyadh's victorious introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo and Riyadh Crescent to seduce Messi are not isolated transfer behaviors, and the mysterious traders behind them and the national strategy involved are grander pictures than professional football.
Like Qatar's extreme operations over the past decade, Saudi Arabia's main way to promote Vision 2030 is to deeply tie politics, economy and sports, introduce top entertainment or sports symbols through the Golden Dollar Strategy, and gradually reshape its reputation and influence around the world.
As for the mysterious background of those Saudi clubs, institutions or companies, it is their chip in the world sports circle.
Back three years ago, when Saudi Arabia was in a position to host the Spanish Super Cup overseas, a well-known Chinese sports company was also involved.
The person told the author: "Because Barcelona and Real Madrid basically participate, the commercial value of this event is very considerable. From the beginning, the single offer of this IP reached 6 million to 8 million euros. ”
The Messi family is interested in Saudi Arabia.
Relying on past experience and connections, the Chinese company was originally confident, but in the end, the sky-high appearance fee paid by the Saudis made all competitors prohibitive - the total price of 3 matches was 40 million euros, and the local tycoons in the Middle East were too arrogant.
Rumor has it that after seeing Qatar's huge success in hosting top-level tournaments, Saudi Arabia has jumped up and intends to put its bid for the World Cup on the agenda.
In fact, Saudi Arabia's "Golden Dollar Strategy", which has been featured in recent years, has received good feedback, and many of the world's top sports and cultural symbols have been associated with them - the Spanish Super Cup, Newcastle United, Dakar Rally and LIV Golf, as well as boxing, F1, Ronaldo and Messi's tourism ambassador contracts...
Obviously, Messi's athletic contract is the next target of the Saudis.
The first surging news
(Supine Push-ups/Chen Dingrui)