Saudi league planning for Lionel Messi to join Cristiano Ronaldo if he leaves Paris Saint-Germain

The Saudi Pro League is keen to tempt Lionel Messi to Saudi Arabia to join Cristiano Ronaldo, sources have told ESPN.

Ronaldo has signed a 2½ year deal worth 200 million a year with Al Nassr, for whom he made his league debut in a 1-0 win over Ettifaq on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Messi is under contract with Paris Saint-Germain until the end of this season and the French club are keen to extend his deal.

But Saudi league officials are making no secret of their desire to eventually have Argentinas World Cup-winning captain play in their country.

Football fans in the Saudi capital of Riyadh got a taste of what it could be like having both superstars in their domestic league when the pair faced off last week in a friendly between PSG.

Saudi select team made up of players from Al Nassr and Riyadh rivals Al Hilal.

Sources have told ESPN that Saudi clubs will get help to sign top players from Europe following Ronaldos arrival at Al Nassr.

Messi has a contract at PSG until the summer with the option to extend by another year.