Lionel Messi apologized to Paris Saint-Germain, the French football club, and his teammates today, Friday, after he was suspended due to his trip to Saudi Arabia and his absence from a training session.
French media reported that Messi was suspended for two weeks after an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia when he was supposed to train with the team following the Ligue 1 leaders’ 3-1 home defeat by Lorient last Sunday.
Messi said, in a video clip on his official account on Instagram, “I honestly thought I would have a day off after the match, as it used to happen in the previous weeks. I organized this trip and I couldn’t cancel it, and I had already canceled it before.”
“I apologize to my colleagues and I am waiting for what the club wants to do with me,” added the Argentine captain.
🎥 Watch | Argentine star 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi publishes on his official Instagram account an apology to his club Paris Saint-Germain @PSG_arab And to his colleagues after the controversy that occurred because of his travel to Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/aHZjHZzvQk
– beIN SPORTS news (@beINSPORTSNews) May 5, 2023
He is set to miss the next two matches against Troyes and at Saint-Germain against Ajaccio as the team looks to maintain its lead in Ligue 1.
Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier said, earlier today, Friday, at a press conference, commenting on the decision to stop Messi, “We will see when Leo returns, we will see what happens. Obviously there will be discussions with the whole club, and with Leo of course.
Christophe Galtier talks about our opponent this Sunday 🎙️#ESTACPSG
pic.twitter.com/V6KE1L4wyF– Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_arab) May 5, 2023
Paris Saint-Germain is 5 points ahead of Olympique de Marseille, with 5 rounds remaining until the end of the season.
A source close to the captain of the Argentine national team told Reuters that Messi had received an official offer to join Al Hilal Saudi Arabia next season.
Messi became an ambassador for tourism in Saudi Arabia since last year, and visited Jeddah in May 2022.
Messi returned in January to play a friendly match with Paris Saint-Germain against an all-star team in the Saudi League, where he faced great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, Al Hilal coach Ramon Diaz refused to get involved in allegations that the Saudi club is trying to sign Messi, in light of the team’s focus on its confrontation with Urawa Red Diamonds in the second leg of the AFC Champions League final.
