Lionel Messi Apologises to PSG and Teammates After Being Suspended for Unauthorised Trip to Saudi Arabia
Key Highlights :
Lionel Messi has apologised to his Paris Saint Germain (PSG) teammates and the club after being suspended for making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this week. The Argentine forward was due to train with the squad the day after their 3-1 defeat to Lorient on Sunday, but instead made the trip to the Middle Eastern nation and missed the training session as a result.
In a video posted to his Instagram account, Messi said: “I sincerely believed that I would have the day off after the game as had been happening in previous weeks. I had this trip organised and I couldn’t cancel it, I had already cancelled it before. I apologise to my team mates and I'm waiting for what the club wants to do with me.”
PSG manager Christophe Galtier said at a press conference earlier on Friday that he had nothing to do with the club’s decision to suspend Messi. The Argentine is now set to miss the next two matches against Troyes and Ajaccio as PSG look to maintain their Ligue 1 lead.
However, Messi’s future at the club remains in doubt, as the World Cup winner turns 36 next month and has reportedly received a formal offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal next season. Messi was appointed Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambassador last year, and visited Jeddah in May 2022. He then returned in January to play a friendly match with PSG against a team of Saudi League stars, where he faced off against his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al Hilal coach Ramon Diaz refused to be drawn on the claims that the Saudi club are attempting to sign Messi, saying they are focused on their clash with Urawa Red Diamonds in the second leg of the Asian Champions League final.
It remains to be seen if Messi will return to PSG or make the move to Saudi Arabia. Either way, it looks like the Argentine has learnt his lesson and will not be making any unauthorised trips in the future.
