Lionel Messi has been suspended without pay for two weeks by PSG after visiting Saudi Arabia without permission
Lionel Messi’s future at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has become uncertain, and his time in the French capital has taken a negative turn. According to reports from ESPN’s Julien Laurens, Messi is set to be suspended for two weeks. This was because he traveled to Saudi Arabia and missed training following PSG’s 3-1 defeat to Lorient.
It is said that PSG’s manager, Christophe Galtier, and sporting director, Luís Campos, approved Messi’s travel plans, but only if the team had won their previous match. However, Messi went ahead with the trip without permission. It’s worth noting that Messi is a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia. During his suspension, which spans two weeks, he will not be allowed to train with the team, and he will miss the fixtures against Troyes and Ajaccio.
Lionel Messi has been suspended without pay for two weeks by PSG after visiting Saudi Arabia without permission 😳 pic.twitter.com/nGyzJoDpAT
— GOAL (@goal) May 2, 2023
This suspension adds to what has been a somewhat disappointing period for Messi at PSG. After an underwhelming first season in Ligue 1 last year, he started this season strongly. Carried his good form in the league to win the World Cup in Qatar. However, PSG’s results have been disappointing since the month-long break in November. The team crashed out of the Champions League and has now suffered three defeats in their last six matches.
Messi’s contract with PSG is set to expire in May. The club’s attempts to renew his contract have reportedly hit a roadblock. There have been rumors of a potential return to Barcelona for Messi. This suspension is likely to further complicate the relationship between Messi and PSG in the final months of his contract as both parties navigate their next moves.
Also Read: Lionel Messi’s Barcelona Return Unlikely: Spanish football Expert Guillem Balague