Did Messi charge $2m for this Saudi picture?

There are few things Saudis are more passionate about than football.

There are few footballers bigger, better or more famous that Barcelona and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

This is why it is no surprise that Messi in Saudi has created more of a storm than any of his hundreds of goals for club and country.

Starting with an over-zealous guard brandishing his gun too close to Leo’s face , the Saudi press, online media and social network are now in over-drive over a rumour that a Saudi family paid Messi 2 million US dollars to visit their home in Riyadh.

Saudi and Arabic news sites published a picture of Messi with three children in what looks like the drawing room of a home.

The picture seemed to add credence to the story until keen followers of the star found the picture also contained a ‘no-smokin’ sign on the table.

Hardly standard décor for a Saudi home, or any home for that matter.

None of the sites which used the picture have named the children. None of the sites which used the $2million story have named the family either.

So the debate persists. Did Messi score $2m in Saudi or not?

He was travelling with the Argentina football team for a friendly against Saudi Arabia which ended 0-0.

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