Lionel Messi has resumed training with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) following his suspension over an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.
The French Ligue 1 club announced Messi’s return with a tweet featuring a photograph of the World Cup winner in training kit, accompanied by the message, “Leo Messi back in training this Monday morning.”
⚽️🔛 Leo Messi back in training this Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/Neo6GEWEIm
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 8, 2023
Despite Messi’s impressive goal-scoring record this season, his presence has failed to improve PSG’s performance on the field, nor has it lifted the mood of the team’s fans. The suspension came as a shock to the Parisian club, and many fans expressed their displeasure on social media platforms.
Messi, who is an ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority, was spotted in Riyadh the day after PSG’s surprise defeat to Lorient last Monday.
He later explained in an Instagram video that he had to make the trip for contractual reasons, having previously canceled it, and believed he had the day off. PSG promptly suspended him for two weeks and left him out of their subsequent game against Troyes, which they won 3-1.
However, Messi’s apology to PSG and his teammates on Friday in his video earned him a return to training. PSG’s next game is on Saturday at home against Ajaccio.
Messi joined PSG from Barcelona in August 2021 after the Spanish club encountered severe financial difficulties. Barcelona wants to re-sign him this summer, but it is uncertain whether they can agree on a deal within the framework of La Liga’s financial fair play regulations.
Meanwhile, the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal have reportedly made huge offers of over £350m per year to secure Messi’s services.
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