PSG Suspends Lionel Messi for Two Weeks
Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been handed a two-week suspension by Paris Saint-Germain. The suspension was announced after he took a promotional trip to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission. Messi had previously postponed the trip twice due to team defeats but flew to the country on Sunday night despite not receiving clearance from PSG.
The 35-year-old was in Riyadh on Monday and advertised his presence in the country on social media. He already serves as a tourism ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
During Messi’s trip, tourism minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb tweeted a welcome to Messi on Monday, posting pictures of the player only hours after he had played 90 minutes of PSG’s 3-1 home defeat to Lorient, which cut their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to just five points with as many games remaining.
PSG’s response to Messi’s actions shows a new policy whereby no one is bigger than the club, and the same rules apply to everyone.
The suspension means Messi will not train or play with the first team and will not be paid during his suspension. Neither will he play the upcoming Ligue 1 matches against Troyes and Ajacci. But could return for the match against Auxerre on May 21. Furthermore, the situation is complicated by the ongoing negotiations over Messi’s contract extension.
Messi is in the final months of a two-year deal with PSG, and last month Sky Sports News reported he wanted to see their sporting plans for next season before committing to a new contract. Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal has reportedly offered Messi a staggering £400m for just one season in order to market a league that contains Cristiano Ronaldo and the 2022 World Cup winner.
Barcelona has already talked to LaLiga about generating more flexibility in their Financial Fair Play ratio to make Messi a contract offer this summer. The club is in talks with the league regarding their spending limits for next season, with the idea of trying to bring Messi back to the Nou Camp for what is likely to be his last year in European football.
However, it will not be easy with Barca having been charged by LaLiga for breaching their limit with three players during the 2021-22 season. Despite this, the club is working with the intention of bringing Messi back and has been buoyed by the recent lack of progress in Messi’s contract talks with Paris Saint-Germain.
While Messi’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by PSG, this is an opportunity for other players to step up and show their worth. The team is currently leading the Ligue 1 standings by just five points, and every game counts at this stage of the season. PSG will need to rely on the collective effort of the squad to maintain their position at the top of the league.
PSG’s next match will be on May 8 and they are playing against the Troyes.Meanwhile, Messi’s negotiations over a contract extension will be closely watched by fans and critics alike, as it could determine his future in the footballing world.
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