PSG issue clear response to Lionel Messi's grovelling apology after suspension

06 May 2023 , 21:59

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Lionel Messi is expected to leave PSG at the end of his contract this summer (Image: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi has been excluded from Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 clash against Troyes this weekend despite the superstar issuing an apology for his unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.

Messi’s PSG team-mates were left ‘shocked’ after he took an unapproved trip to the Middle-East on Monday. The Argentine superstar is contractually obliged to visit the Gulf State as part of his role as tourism ambassador to the nation, but he did not inform anyone at PSG of his trip.

That left many team-mates bemused as to why the 35-year-old was not among them when they arrived at training on Monday. It comes with the star being expected to leave PSG when his contract expires at the end of the current season, as reported by . The club are no longer prioritising his contract renewal.

The 35-year-old was aware that he would be required to be at training alongside his club team-mates on Monday, as that is protocol for the players after losing a match that weekend. PSG crashed to a 3-1 home defeat to Lorient in Ligue 1 at the weekend.

That result helped open up the title race – leaving the out-of-form club just five points ahead of Marseille ahead of the league run-in. Yet Messi has been suspended for two weeks, meaning he will miss at least two matches and cannot use the club’s training facilities in that time.

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Messi apologised to the club and his team-mates on Friday, recording a video to state: "I thought we had a day off after the game. I had organised this trip and I could not cancel it. I had cancelled it before. I apologise to my team-mates and I am waiting for what the club wants to do with me."

PSG and Messi have halted talks to renew his contract (Getty Images)

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The Argentine’s actions have further soured his relationship with PSG supporters. Fans took part in protests against the forward outside of the club's Paris headquarters.

Despite his apology, PSG have not relented in their stance over his suspension and unavailability. Messi has been excluded from their league clash against Troyes this weekend, while he is also expected to miss the home clash against Ajaccio the following week.

Christophe Galtier’s side will then conclude their campaign with league matches away to Auxerre and Strasbourg, before hosting Clermont on the final day. It is likely that Messi will be involved in those three matches, before his contract expires on 30 June.

Colin Millar