Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has reportedly been banned by his current club, Paris Saint-Germain because of his “unauthorized” trip to Saudi Arabia.
PSG reportedly suspends Lionel Messi for two weeks 🤯#Football #PSG #LionelMessi #InsideSport pic.twitter.com/C7JArUuf6u
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) May 3, 2023
The 35-year old Argentinian featured in the Parisians’ shocking home defeat against Lorient. Following the defeat, Messi made his commercial trip to Saudi Arabia, which had already been canceled on two previous occasions.
According to information obtained by MARCA, Messi requested and received permission to travel from PSG because the game was on a Sunday and there was no midweek match (the next match was on Sunday, May 7), and because it was a commitment that could not be canceled again.
(🌕) JUST IN: Leo Messi knew he had 2-3 days off after the game and he communicated to PSG about traveling to Saudi Arabia on Monday morning, but when he was already traveling, PSG suddenly changed the plans and they put training on Monday. @FabrizioRomano 🚨⚠️ pic.twitter.com/GWtCrIJVNO
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) May 3, 2023
It was reported by L’Equipe that if PSG beat Lorient, their coach Christophe Galtier would give his players Monday and Tuesday off. The squad instead had a day off on Tuesday after training on Monday.
Lionel Messi gets handed a ban of two weeks
The club has punished Leo for going to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission. Although the club hasn’t stated exactly how long Messi would be banned, the French media has reported it to be two weeks.
This means that the Argentinian will be unavailable for PSG’s games against Troyes and Ajaccio. He will also be exempt from training, and will not be paid during the sanction period.
Who do you think will win the Ballon d'Or this year? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/2tHPsGqAfj
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 2, 2023
RMC says that the French club thinks Messi’s trip was a “serious mistake” because it happened in the middle of the season.
PSG’s current season has been lackluster. The French giants are already out of the Champions League and the French Cup. They’re currently sitting at the top of the Ligue 1 table, but Marseille is not far behind them.
The current world champion’s sanction has come at a time when PSG will be looking to negotiate an extension to his current contract. Because of this, how fruitful the negotiations would be remains to be seen.
Lionel Messi • Playmaking 2022/23
Still the best playmaker of the world 🎧pic.twitter.com/wr4dDCE4ee
— Jan (@FutbolJan10) April 24, 2023
Messi’s trip to Saudi Arabia has sparked even more controversies now, as he has reportedly been approached by Saudi club Al-Hilal to play for them in a deal that will make him the highest paid soccer player ever. With his contract with PSG ending this June, in addition to this unauthorized trip, no one can deny the fact that we might see the 35-year old play in the Saudi League next season.
