Dispute over Saudi Arabia trip: Paris Saint-Germain pardons Messi prematurely

Dispute over Saudi Arabia trip
Paris Saint-Germain pardon Messi early

05/08/2023 3:41 p.m

Lionel Messi thought he had a day off, flew to Saudi Arabia – and was suspended by Paris Saint-Germain. After a public apology, the soccer world champion is allowed to appear again at France’s league leaders. That shouldn’t change much in the plans for the summer.

After Lionel Messi’s public apology, Paris Saint-Germain have lifted his suspension early. The 35-year-old soccer world champion resumed training today, the French champion and leader announced. Messi apologized to the club and his team-mates on Friday for his unannounced short trip to Saudi Arabia.

The 35-year-old is a highly paid tourism ambassador for the kingdom, having fulfilled sponsorship obligations in the capital, Riyadh. He later apologized for the trip, saying he had mistakenly assumed he was having a day off.

It remains to be seen whether the fans, who recently had a lot of fun against the Argentine world champion, will be enough. Next Saturday is the home game against relegation candidates AJ Ajaccio. Most recently, PSG had even felt compelled to increase the security staff at the training ground and in front of the accommodation of Messi and injured Brazilian striker Neymar, even after supporters’ protests.

Staying beyond the season is hardly conceivable

“I really thought that after the game we would have a day off, as has been the case for the past few weeks,” Messi said in the short video on social media, among other things. Once he had already canceled the trip. He is now waiting for the club’s decision.

This had taken Messi out of training and games for two weeks, so he should not have been able to join the team again until next week. However, there was no written notification of the disciplinary measure. According to his own statements, coach Christophe Galtier was not involved in the decision, and as an employee of PSG he did not want to comment on it. During the suspension, Messi’s salary was also withheld.

However, it should not be expected that the seven-time world footballer will remain. The contract of the superstar, who came from FC Barcelona two years ago, expires on June 30th. Messi is said to have received an offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal. Major League Soccer in the USA is also interested. Most of all, however, a possible return to his heart club in Barcelona is expected.