Messi faces disciplinary action at PSG for trip to Saudi Arabia
Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain in a match against Brest in March 2023
Football
superstar Lionel Messi is facing disciplinary action - possibly a suspension -
from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for making a trip to Saudi Arabia without the
club's permission, French and international media reported.
Reports of a
possible two-week suspension mean Messi could miss PSG's next two matches and
come at a sensitive time as the French club hopes to extend the Argentine
star's contract beyond this season, the Associated Press news agency reported
on Wednesday.
French media
L'Equipe and RMC Sport reported the suspension on Tuesday without citing
sources.
A source
with knowledge of the matter told the AP the French club rejected Messi's
request to make the trip to Saudi Arabia, where the 35-year-old has a
commercial contract to promote tourism.
The World Cup champion will not be allowed to train or play with the team and will not be
paid during his suspension, the source told the AP.
Messi led
Argentina to the World Cup title in December. He has also scored 15 league
goals and leads the French league with 15 assists.
Messi has
not publicly commented on the reported suspension on his social media accounts.
The reported
suspension comes at a sensitive time as the French club hoped to extend the
Argentine star's contract beyond this season.
Reports of
Messi's trip to Saudi Arabia followed PSG's shock 3-1 defeat in Lorient on
Sunday, putting the defending champion five points clear of Marseille with five
games remaining in the season. Messi played the whole game.
A source at
the club said the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner would "probably" be
sidelined for two weeks, noting that "no one is more important than the
club," the Agence France-Presse news agency reported.
Messi, who
turns 36 in June, played a part in PSG's 3-1 home defeat to Lorient in Ligue 1
on Sunday, AFP reported. He then traveled to Saudi Arabia to fulfill his
obligations as part of a contract with the country's tourism board.
As a result,
Messi missed a training session on Monday after the weekend defeat, before the
PSG squad was given a day off on Tuesday.
According to
a source familiar with the matter, the Argentinian will also not participate in
training on Wednesday.
L'Equipe had
reported that PSG coach Christophe Galtier had promised to give his players two
days off - Monday and Tuesday - if they beat Lorient. Instead, the team trained
on Monday and had Tuesday off.
Messi joined
PSG from Barcelona two years ago in hopes of leading the team to an elusive
Champions League title. In contrast, PSG were knocked out in the round of 16 in
back-to-back seasons.
There has
been speculation about where he will play next, especially after reports that
contract talks with PSG had fallen through.
Comments
Post a Comment