Following Lionel Messi’s unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia, Paris Saint-Germain reportedly decided not to extend his contract. After PSG’s unexpected 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday, the 35-year-old made a trip to the Middle East.
Messi is said to have travelled as part of his responsibilities as the Gulf state’s tourism ambassador. Although training was scheduled for that day, it was stated on Tuesday that the club had not approved of this action. The Argentine was consequently given a two-week suspension without pay, while L’Equipe is reportedly claiming a considerably worse penalty.
It is now known that PSG won’t extend Messi’s contract at the end of the current campaign. The Argentine star’s current contract will end this summer, as has been widely reported, however, the capital club did have the opportunity to activate a provision for a third season.
Senior club executives were reportedly leaning towards letting Messi depart, but talks were still going on and a contract extension was still a possibility. However, it now seems that the trip to Saudi Arabia was the deciding factor, and Messi’s departure this summer has been sealed.
Previously, Tru News Report mentioned that Paris Saint-Germain has suspended Lionel Messi for two weeks for skipping training on Monday to visit Saudi Arabia.
Messi won’t be paid during his suspension, and he won’t take part in practice or games for the starting lineup, according to ESPN.
The PSG manager, Christophe Galtier, reportedly told his players that if they won against Lorient on Sunday, they would get Monday and Tuesday off from exercise, but if they lost, they would have to show up for a session on Monday.
Messi requested authorization to honour his sponsorship arrangement as a Saudi ambassador, and Luis Campos and Galtier authorized it in the event of a win or a draw and not a defeat.
However, sources told ESPN that Messi flew to Saudi Arabia without getting another approval, which prevented him from participating in practice on Monday after PSG’s humiliating 3-1 loss to Lorient, their third loss in their previous four league games.
The incident reportedly caused tension in the locker room and disturbed some players, according to sources who talked with ESPN.
