Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) suspended and fined Lionel Messi for traveling to Saudi Arabia and missing their team’s training without approval.
Messi went to Saudi Arabia after PSG’s Ligue 1 defeat to Lorient. His trip was reportedly not approved by manager Christophe Galtier, with the club having since taken action.
The Argentinian star who is also a tourist ambassador for Saudi Arabia ought to have gotten permission from PSG before embarking on the journey. His actions shocked his fellow team players and well as fans.
As a result of his actions, he was banned from playing or training with the team for two weeks, and his pay will be pro-rated during the period.
Messi will miss the Ligue 1 matches against Troyes and Ajaccio but may return for the match against Auxerre on 21 May. PSG are top of the standings with 75 points from 33 matches. Messi started in PSG’s 3-1 home defeat by Lorient on Sunday. PSG top the table by five points from second-placed Marseille.
Why Messi Might Have Traveled To Saudi Arabia Without Permission
Although Messi did not state his exact purpose for traveling, he, however, said he decided to embark on the journey because he had failed to appear at the Middle East nation at an earlier scheduled date.
“I am sorry for what I did and I wait to see what the club decides,” Messi said in his apology video.
“I honestly thought we were going to have the day off after the match as had happened in the previous weeks.
“I had organised this trip to Saudi Arabia having cancelled it previously. This time I couldn’t cancel it.”
However, fans flocked to the comment section saying Messi’s video seemed like he was being held hostage and praised his humility..
“man giving hostage vibes.” – KingRaizen
“Bro looks like a hostage. Come on Barca, fix your mistake and bring him back asap” – Imran Suhail
“Gotta love those hostage, I mean apology videos” – chupa63
“I’m not a fan but I know humbleness and humility when I see them.” – Gundo Matumba
Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain will end at the end of the current season, and a number of clubs are interested in taking him in. There is interest from Saudi Arabia and the United States, while his former club Barcelona is also keen to bring him back.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been open on the club’s relationship with Messi, though no deal has been secured. The Catalan side is understood to be making a number of cuts in an effort to ensure they have the financial means to buy him back.
The Saudia Arabia minister of tourism, Ahmed al Khateeb, posted a welcome message to Messi on Twitter on Monday and on Tuesday posted further photos of Messi and his family visiting the country.