Lionel Messi has been dropped from Paris Saint-Germain‘s Ligue 1 game against Troyes after the player appeared in a video to apologize for his unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.
PSG succumbed to a 3-1 home defeat to Lorient in Ligue 1 this past weekend. After a disappointing loss, the 35-year-old knew he had to show up to training with the rest of his club team on Monday.
The title race was thrown wide open by that outcome, with the slumping club now trailing Marseille by just five points with just a few games left in the season. Messi, however, will be out of action for two weeks due to suspension, meaning he will miss at least two games and the club’s training facilities.
Messi’s PSG teammates were reportedly “shocked” to learn on Monday that he had traveled to the Middle East without their knowledge or permission. Despite being contractually obligated to fulfill his role as tourism ambassador to the Gulf State, the Argentine superstar failed to notify anyone at PSG of his impending trip.
The Argentine’s actions have resulted in an unpaid ban prolonging two weeks from the club, and they have made him unpopular among Paris Saint-Germain fans. Supporters demonstrated against the forward in front of the club’s Paris headquarters, calling him names.
The seven time Ballon d’Or winner posted an apology video on social media, where he said: “I thought we had a day off after the game. I had organised this trip and I could not cancel it. It had already been cancelled before. I apologise to my team-mates and I am waiting for what the club wants to do with me.”
Lionel Messi's apology video to PSG đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/LPt0etyEbF
— GOAL (@goal) May 5, 2023
Messi’s apology hasn’t been taken into consideration
Even after he apologized, PSG maintained their position regarding Messi’s suspension and inaccessibility. Messi was absent from PSG’s 3-1 victory against Troyes, and he is also unlikely to play in the following week’s home match against Ajaccio.
🚨 Lionel Messi will NOT be PAID during his two-week suspension and will miss PSG's games against Troyes and Ajaccio.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi banged his fist on the table to show "that no player is above the PSG institution".
(Source: @RMCsport) pic.twitter.com/Dlu3yYROAu
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 2, 2023
According to recent rumors, after all that’s happened, PSG are not considering a contract renewal with the 35-year old Argentinian anymore, as his contract is set to expire next month.
Messi is expected to play in PSG’s final games against Auxerre, Strasbourg, and Clermont, before his contract sees its imminent end with the conclusion of the season.
