PSG Takes Action: Lionel Messi Suspended for Unauthorized Saudi Arabia Visit
4 min read
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In response to Xinhua’s inquiries, a source confirmed Lionel Messi had been disciplined by Paris Saint-Germain for his trip to Saudi Arabia without permission. It is unclear how long the suspension will last, but both RMC and L’Equipe reported earlier on Tuesday that he would be suspended for two weeks without training, matches, or salary. Despite appearing in PSG’s 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday, Lionel Messi was absent from the team’s training session the next day due to a trip to Saudi Arabia as a tourism ambassador for a commercial event.
Lionel Messi has been suspended without pay for two weeks by PSG after visiting Saudi Arabia without permission 😳👀 pic.twitter.com/0dv4Z3s8vB
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) May 3, 2023
According to L’Equipe, PSG coach Christophe Galtier originally planned two days off for his players if they beat Lorient. A training session would be held on Monday and a day off would be held on Tuesday. Messi, however, decided to go to Saudi Arabia without the club’s approval. Because Lionel Messi is suspended for two weeks, he will miss the away match against Troyes and the home match against Ajaccio. PSG’s contract expires at the end of this season, and he will likely only play three more matches with the French capital team since the two sides appear to have drifted apart.
When Messi skipped training for no reason: “You gotta feel for Messi. PSG don’t deserve him🥺🥺”
— M (@madridfooty_) May 2, 2023
When Ronaldo skipped preseason because his daughter was hospitalized: “Ronaldo is such an arrogant egoist who ruins clubs 🤬🤬” pic.twitter.com/VuJOAAXs4d
For An Unauthorised Trip To Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi Has Been Suspended By PSG For Two Weeks
Lionel Messi has been suspended for two weeks by Paris Saint-Germain after missing training on Monday to fly to Saudi Arabia, according to ESPN. The suspension will mean Messi won’t be able to train or play for the first team, and he won’t be paid during that time. A French newspaper reported that PSG manager Christophe Galtier told his players that if they beat Lorient on Sunday, they would have two days off, but if they lost, they would have to report to training on Monday. After Messi, 35, asked if he could go to the Arab Gulf to honor his Saudi ambassadorship deal, Galtier and Luis Campos allowed him to leave should the team win or draw, but not lose. After PSG’s 3-1 defeat to Lorient — their third loss in four league games — Messi flew to Saudi Arabia without asking for permission again, ESPN reported. Some players were unhappy with the incident, according to ESPN sources. His ongoing contract negotiations further complicate the situation surrounding the World Cup winner. At the end of the season, Messi’s contract at Parc des Princes will expire.
Barca is interested in resigning Lionel Messi, but LaLiga president Javier Tebas said the league would not change its financial fair play rules. Additionally, Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia and Inter Miami of Major League Soccer are interested in him. In 2021, Paris signed the 35-year-old FIFA World Cup winner as a free agent, where he had 15 goals and 15 assists this season. PSG fans have booed Messi several times at the Parc des Princes over the past two seasons due to PSG’s failure in the UEFA Champions League. Furthermore, he was offered a one-year deal worth £400m by Al Hilal, although it is unclear whether this offer was connected to his trip to Saudi Arabia. As a tourism ambassador, Messi already represents the country in the Middle East. On Monday, Ahmed Al-Khateeb sent a warm welcome to Messi on Twitter, along with pictures of the Argentina World Cup winner, just hours after he had played 90 minutes in PSG’s 3-1 loss at home to Lorient, which reduced their lead at the top to just five points.
Lionel Messi gets a pass for disrespecting PSG by going on an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia and missing training.
— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) May 2, 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo got ridiculous hate for missing pre-season because his daughter was sick in the hospital.
The double standards. Story of their careers. pic.twitter.com/s6VjFCmq1Z
PSG fans after seeing Messi has been suspended for 2 weeks and he will leave the club at the end of seasonpic.twitter.com/EQZE5TG4Vf
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) May 2, 2023
Messi after playing his last match for PSG in their stadium. pic.twitter.com/AXPFtQGEfh
— sostar (@sostar202) May 2, 2023
Messi after being suspended by PSG but he was leaving regardless and will still win his 8th Ballon D'or pic.twitter.com/qrgjpXeGlp
— Mr Black⁛ (@MrBlackOG) May 2, 2023
Messi always trying to chase Ronaldo’s greatness.
— Julio Murillo (@JEM_el_tarasco) May 3, 2023
Messi getting the bad news 📰 pic.twitter.com/L8kzS9axHl
— samsneed94 🇺🇸🇮🇶 (@SamSneed94) May 3, 2023
Meanwhile, Messi having fun at a theme park with his kids. He is sooooo worried about PSG's punishment.😭 pic.twitter.com/QyNSl4vVFr
— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) May 2, 2023
