World cup winner Messi enjoys family holiday in Saudi Arabia
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Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi and his family are currently in Saudi Arabia spending their leisure time, the 24NewsHd TV channel reported on Tuesday.
The World Cup winner Messi and his family arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday in Riyadh.
The trip is Messi’s second vacation in Saudi Arabia, having visited Jeddah with friends last year.
This time he is joined by his family who are delighted to be spending time with each other on a getaway packed with fun family activities and attractions.
They include cultural and historical gems, immersive outdoor experiences and the city’s modern entertainment districts.
The family spent the first day of their holiday visiting an authentic Saudi farm, away from the fast pace of the city.
They watched a palm-weaving demonstration against the backdrop of the majestic trees, which are a symbol of prosperity in Saudi Arabia.
The country’s palm trees produce more than 1.5 million tonnes of dates annually, which are a central part of Saudi Arabian cuisine.
The Messi family enjoyed playing with and feeding the Arabian gazelle.
The animal is part of an ambitious rewilding program, reintroducing Arabian gazelles, oryx, and the Arabian leopard at wildlife reserves across the country.
While Saudi Arabia is known for its vast Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) desert, it also has a diverse landscape that can be enjoyed year-round.
Saudi Arabia also offers the cool, green highlands of Asir where the locals holiday in the summer.
Must-see destinations include the UNESCO-listed oasis of Al Ahsa, and the pristine coral reefs of the country’s 1,700km Red Sea coast, which can be enjoyed by divers and on cruise liners.
The Messi family is not the only one choosing to have their holidays in Saudi Arabia.
Celebrities including Cristiano Ronaldo and Alicia Keys have been seen with their families in Saudi Arabia, which is becoming one of the world's most vibrant new family-friendly destinations.
Messi also shared an image of Saudi Arabia's "unexpected wonders" with his over 450 million Instagram followers.
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"Who thought Saudi has so much green?", he captioned the photo of a lush canopy of trees, adding how much he "love[s] to explore" the Kingdom whenever he can.