May 3 – Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris St-Germain for two weeks and will be fined after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.
The Argentinean did not report to training with PSG on Monday following the club’s 3-1 defeat to Lorient. He was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital city, to carry out commercial work in his role as a tourism ambassador for the Arab kingdom. It’s understood that the 35-year-old had asked permission to travel, but the club refused his request.
Saudi minister of tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb tweeted on Monday: “I am happy to welcome #Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences. We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.”
Messi will not train or play for PSG during the period of his suspension. He will miss the Ligue 1 matches against Troyes and Ajaccio as PSG seek to consolidate their five-point lead over Olympique Marseille in a season of inconsistency.
Messi has scored 31 goals and contributed 34 assists in 71 games in all competitions for PSG, and won the Ligue 1 title last season, but in the view of the club hierarchy and the fans the Argentinean, who crowned his career last December by leading his country to a third world title, has not delivered.
On a two-year deal worth €30 million per year, Messi’s contract runs out this summer and the suspension has prompted widespread speculation that Messi’s time in the French capital is coming to an end, with Barcelona say they are trying to bring him back to the Nou Camp.
The suspension seems to be a signal that the Qatari-owned club wants to build a different future without Messi, whose contract allows for the option of a one-year extension.
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