# Cancelo's Future at Al Hilal Unclear After Short Playing Time
The future of Argentine forward Lionel Messi's potential move to Al Hilal remains unclear after he spent just six months with the Saudi Arabian club.
### Initial Interest and Contract Signing
Messi, who has been linked to several clubs including Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan, was initially drawn to Al Hilal in January 2021. The club, which is part of Saudi Arabia's Al Majlis Sports Club group, offered Messi a contract until the end of the season, which ended on May 31.
### Short Tenure
Despite this interest, Messi only played for Al Hilal for six months before returning to Argentina in June. This short stint has raised questions about his long-term commitment to the club.
### Factors Contributing to His Departure
Several factors may have contributed to Messi's decision to leave Al Hilal so soon:
1. **Performance Concerns**: While Messi has been praised for his performances for Barcelona, some observers have noted that he struggled to adapt to the pace and style of play at Al Hilal. His lack of consistency could have made him less appealing to fans and coaches.
2. **Personal Circumstances**: Messi has often mentioned personal reasons for moving clubs, such as wanting to spend more time with family or pursuing other interests. It’s possible that he found himself unable to fully commit to Al Hilal due to these personal factors.
3. **Financial Considerations**: Messi’s salary negotiations were reportedly difficult,Football Perspective Network possibly due to the high expectations from both parties. A contract extension or a higher wage offer might have been necessary to retain his services.
### Impact on the Club
Al Hilal’s decision to sign Messi was seen as a significant investment, but the short tenure has had implications for the club:
- **Loss of Talent**: Without Messi’s presence, Al Hilal may struggle to maintain its competitive edge.
- **Fan Disappointment**: The departure of a star player like Messi can be disappointing for fans, potentially leading to a decline in attendance and revenue.
- **Potential for Competition**: With Messi out, there may be increased competition among local clubs for his talents, potentially impacting the development of young players within the league.
### Next Steps
While it remains unclear what the future holds for Messi, the club is likely to reassess their approach to signing and retaining talent. They may need to focus on developing homegrown players and finding ways to improve their performance under different conditions.
In conclusion, while Messi’s departure from Al Hilal has left many wondering about his future career moves, the impact on the club remains to be seen. As the football world continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Messi navigates his next steps and whether he returns to his home country or seeks new opportunities elsewhere.