In the letter, Messi addressed Tourism Minister Ahmed al-Khateeb in unusually flowery prose—“your Excellency,” expressing his “deepest regret” at not being able to travel to Saudi Arabia as agreed. Messi was playing for Barcelona at the time, and he wrote that as “an athlete,” he had obligations that he could not ignore, including a match against Real Betis, followed by a match in the Spanish King’s Cup.

Saudi Arabia has been patiently waiting for Messi, and the powerful Gulf state has gotten what it wanted. Messi brought his entire family to Saudi Arabia to promote the country on the Red Sea.

Messi. Photo: VNA

As the sun sets over the seemingly endless Red Sea, Messi sits down on a boat, stretches his legs, and poses for a photo announcing his public partnership with Saudi Arabia. The image, shared with Messi’s more than 400 million Instagram followers, has had a powerful effect. Riyadh needs it, even though every time Messi and his family set foot in the kingdom of 34 million, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Tourism must immediately transfer $2 million into Messi’s bank account as part of a $25 million three-year advertising deal for the following: A few appearances in Saudi Arabia, a few social media posts. In return, according to the contract, Leo (Messi’s nickname) will not say anything that could tarnish the country or its people.

Over the past decade, the Riyadh government has invested billions of dollars in the sports sector, considering it an important "gateway" to the world. Even when Messi signed a contract with Inter Miami in the US Major League Soccer, it did not affect Leo and his family's trips to Saudi Arabia twice a year (for 3 days each time, if they only went once a year, the vacation would last 5 days) to promote the country's tourism industry. In return, 2 million USD was poured into Messi's account. The travel and accommodation expenses for these vacations were generously paid by the Riyadh government. Even the Minister of Tourism Ahmed al-Khateeb gently reminded Messi to call all 20 members (according to the signed contract) instead of just bringing his family of 5.

And every time Messi promotes a beautiful scene of Saudi Arabia on social media, Mr. Ahmed al-Khateeb will instruct his staff to pay Leo 200,000 USD. Messi is also quite arrogant, only agreeing to promote the country and people of Saudi Arabia 10 times a year on his social media. In addition, in 2023, Messi will do charity work in Saudi Arabia, and to get Leo's nod for this trip, the contract clearly states: 2 million USD. Rayco Garcia Cabrera, the intermediary for Messi's cooperation with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Tourism, did not think Leo would ask for such cheap promotional trips. Messi is unique. This Argentine star can earn hundreds of millions from Saudi Arabia, but Leo is very smart. Responding to the media, Messi said he cooperated with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Tourism because he believed in the vision of the Riyadh government. But in this game, no one can see through Leo's vision.

THANH NAM