FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – Lionel Messi visits Saudi Arabia – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 1, 2023 Paris St Germain’s Lionel Messi together with his spouse Antonela Roccuzzo and their sons throughout a go to to Saudi Arabia Saudi Ministry of Tourism/Handout by way of REUTERS
Lionel Messi apologized to Paris St Germain and his teammates on Friday after being suspended for making a visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this week and lacking a coaching session in consequence.
French media reported that Messi was suspended for 2 weeks after an unauthorized journey to Saudi Arabia when he was supposed to coach with the squad the day after the Ligue 1 leaders’ 3-1 defeat at dwelling to Lorient on Sunday.
“I sincerely believed that I would have the day off after the game as had been happening in previous weeks. I had this trip organized and I couldn’t cancel it, I had already canceled it before,” Messi stated in a video on Instagram.
“I apologize to my teammates and I’m waiting for what the club wants to do with me,” added the Argentina ahead.
PSG boss Christophe Galtier stated earlier on Friday that he had nothing to do with the membership’s determination to droop Messi, who is ready to overlook the subsequent two matches at Troyes and residential to Ajaccio as they appear to maintain their Ligue 1 lead intact.
“We’ll see when Leo returns, we’ll see what happens. Obviously, there will be discussions with the entire club, but also with Leo,” Galtier had stated at a press convention.
PSG are 5 factors away from Olympique de Marseille with 5 matches left within the season.
Messi has acquired a proper provide to hitch Saudi Arabian membership Al-Hilal subsequent season, a supply near Argentina’s captain advised Reuters, with a contract renewal at PSG not on the playing cards for the World Cup winner who turns 36 subsequent month.
The oil-rich nation appointed Messi its tourism ambassador final 12 months and he visited Jeddah in May 2022.
He returned in January to play a pleasant match with PSG in opposition to a group of Saudi League stars, when he confronted nice rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al Hilal coach Ramon Diaz, nonetheless, refused to be drawn on claims the Saudi membership try to signal Messi as they’re targeted on their conflict with Urawa Red Diamonds within the second leg of the Asian Champions League remaining.
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