The Saudi Pro League is reportedly willing to rewrite its own rules in a bid to persuade Lionel Messi to join Cristiano Ronaldo in playing in the competition.

Portuguese superstar Ronaldo made headlines around the world back in December when he signed a massive £175 million-a-year deal with Al-Nassr - and now Saudi chiefs have set their sights on landing Messi at the end of the season.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the conclusion of the current campaign and is believed to be a target for a number of Saudi Arabian clubs, according to a report from ESPN.

Fans believed they had seen Messi and Ronaldo clash for the final time earlier this month when they faced off in a friendly between PSG and a Saudi select XI comprised of players from Al-Nassr and Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal.

The Ligue 1 champions ultimately prevailed 5-4 in a pulsating encounter that saw both superstars find the back of the net.

Football bosses in the Gulf state want to treat locals to more duels between Messi and Ronaldo by bringing the Argentine icon to their domestic league.

Ronaldo at Al-Nassr

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 26: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr reacts during the Saudi Super Cup Semi-Final match between Al Ittihad and Al Nassr at King Fahd International Stadium on January 26, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Saudi Pro League willing to rewrite regulations to land Messi

In order to help their case, the Saudi Pro League is said to be ready to rip up its current rules to make it easier for players currently based in Europe to ply their trade in the competition.

At present, each Saudi Pro League club is allowed to register a maximum of seven foreign stars.

Al-Nassr had already reached their quota of seven foreign stars when they signed Ronaldo, meaning that the club had to terminate the contract of Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar before they could register the former Manchester United man.

Per ESPN's recent report, administrators are ready to raise that limit to eight foreign players, with the aim of increasing the number of big names in the league.

Clip of Lionel Messi during PSG medal ceremony vs Cristiano Ronaldo’s team goes viral

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 19: Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain collects their winners medal following the Winter Tour 2023 friendly between Paris Saint-Germain and Riyadh XI at King Fahd International Stadium on January 19, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

How much could Lionel Messi earn in Saudi Arabia?

Although Ronaldo become the world's highest-paid sportsperson with his move to Al-Nassr, reports from Spain - via the Daily Mail - suggested earlier this month that one Saudi club would be willing to offer Messi more than £300m-a-year to relocate.

Al-Ittihad, who defeated Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup on Thursday evening, are believed to be prepared to fork out £306m-a-year for Messi's services.

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo mocked with Lionel Messi chants after Al-Ittihad 3-1 Al-Nassr

Lionel Messi with the World Cup trophy

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winners' Trophy while holding the adidas Golden Boot award after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

With such outrageous seemingly numbers on the table, it's hardly a surprise that the 35-year-old has yet to fully commit himself to PSG beyond the end of this season.

Whether Messi will actually make the move to Saudi Arabia remains to be seen, but he can't be blamed for considering it.

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