PSG suspends Lionel Messi over Saudi Arabia trip

Football superstar Lionel Messi has been suspended for two weeks and will not have his contract renewed, according to French and international media reports. This comes after Messi reportedly took a trip to Saudi Arabia without his club’s – Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) – permission.

Two week suspension

A source told AFP that the World-Cup winning captain, would be banned for “several days”, while the French media reported that he would be hit with a two-week suspension. Messi is also reportedly banned from training or playing with the team, and will miss PSG’s next two games. Reports say his pay will be docked during the suspension.

The Guardian reports that Messi will miss the Ligue 1 matches against Troyes and Ajaccio. He may, however, return for the match against Auxerre on May 21.

The reported suspension comes at a delicate time where PSG had hoped to extend Messi’s contract beyond this season, says the Associated Press (AP). Messi reportedly signed an optional third-season clause in 2021 – but club officials decided not to activate it.

Saudi Arabia eyes Messi for club

There are speculations about where the soccer star will play. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, want to sign Messi once his contract runs out at PSG. Media reports indicate the club is prepared to pay him a whopping £400m for just one season.

A source knowledgeable with the issue, told the AP that PSG denied Messi’s request to make the trip to Saudi Arabia. Messi has a commercial contract there to promote tourism. As a result, the 35-year-old missed a training session.

Skysports reports that the soccer player was seen in Riyadh on Monday. He shared his presence in the country on his social media. He is a tourism ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Messi has yet to comment on the reported suspension.

Messi joined PSG two years ago, in the hopes he could lead the team to a Champions League title. Instead, the Paris club was eliminated in the round of 16 consecutive seasons. Al jazeera reports that some PSG fans have even booed Messi for the team’s inconsistent campaign.