ESPN May 8, 2023 9:50 am ET3 Minute Read
Messi apologizes to PSG for the trip to Saudi Arabia
Lionel Messi has apologized to PSG for missing training for Saudi Arabia.
Lionel Messi is back training with Paris Saint-Germain, the Ligue 1 side announced on Monday after the striker was suspended for a trip to Saudi Arabia and a missed training session.
PSG haven’t officially said if Messi’s disciplinary sanction has been lifted, but a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that the Argentine star has resumed training after the suspension was lifted.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. PSG hadn’t specified the length of the suspension, although sources told ESPN it would last two weeks.
The move suggests the world champions will be available for PSG’s next league game against Ajaccio on Saturday, barring an injury.
French media reported that Messi has been handed a two-week ban following an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia when he was due to train with the squad the day after the Ligue 1 leaders’ 3-1 defeat by Lorient last month.
Messi, who apologized to PSG and his team-mates on Friday, was left out of the squad for Sunday’s 3-1 win at second-bottom Troyes.
PSG posted an image of Messi’s training session on social media along with the caption: “Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian striker was back in training on Monday 8 May.”
Sources told ESPN that Messi was training alone as Monday was a day off for the team.
PSG are six points ahead of Lens and eight ahead of Marseille with four rounds left this season.
Messi’s future at PSG has been the subject of much speculation.
A source close to the Argentina captain told Portal that he has received a formal offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal next season, with a contract extension at PSG for the world champions, who turns 36 next month , is not in sight.
Saudi Arabia appointed Messi as its tourism ambassador last year and he visited Jeddah in May 2022.
He returned in January to play with PSG in a friendly against a team of Saudi league stars when he met great rivals Cristiano Ronaldo.
Information from Portal, The Associated Press and Julien Laurens was used in this report.