Lionel Messi suspended by PSG for unauthorised Saudi trip
The Argentine forward will not train or play for two weeks after being seen in Saudi Arabia just a day after a chastening Ligue 1 defeat to Lorient.
Lionel Messi’s unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia has not gone down well in Paris and reports in France suggest that the Argentine has been hit with a two-week suspension by the club.
Paris Saint-Germain are said to have been shocked that Messi travelled to the Gulf nation during the season, missing club training sessions to appear in commercials in Riyadh. Messi has a lucrative ambassadorial arrangement with Saudi officials.
🚨 Paris Saint-Germain have decided to suspend Lionel Messi with immediate effect for two weeks, sources confirm.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2023
The suspension will take place now after Messi’s trip to Saudi NOT authorized by the club as per @RMCSport.
Messi side, still waiting on official communication. pic.twitter.com/j223WK2r5Z
French publication RMC reports that Messi has been issued a two-week ban by PSG, during which time he will not be available to train or play and will not receive a salary. During the trip to Saudi Arabia Messi was fulfilling his role as an ambassador.
It has been reported that PSG boss Christophe Galtier and sporting director Luis Campos approved the trip, providing that the team avoided defeat to Lorient on Sunday. But PSG lost against Lorient - their third league defeat in four games – and Messi made the trip anyway.
Despite decent performances on the pitch this season the relationship between Messi and PSG now appears irreparably damaged. The Argentine is expected to move on from Paris this season.