Paris Saint-Germain’s relationship with Lionel Messi is set to end after two disappointing years, following the French champions’ decision to suspend the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner for an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.
Messi was expected to lead PSG to their elusive Champions League victory when he arrived in Paris from Barcelona in August 2021, welcomed as a hero by adoring fans.
It hasn’t worked out, and some of those supporters recently developed animosity towards a player they view as a representation of everything the club has done wrong in focusing on superstar acquisitions while failing to assemble a team that is actually competitive.
The Qatar-owned club informed Messi’s agent a month ago that the player was now “much more likely” to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires, despite having appeared to secure his signature for another season at one point.
This week’s events are surely the final straw.
Messi, who will be 36 in June, played in PSG’s insipid 3-1 home defeat by Lorient in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
He then travelled to Saudi Arabia to fulfil commitments as part of a contract with the country’s tourist office.
As a result, Messi missed a training session pencilled in for Monday following the weekend defeat.
PSG acted swiftly to punish Messi, despite his status as one of the sport’s greats.
He has been suspended even though PSG still need points to retain the French title with five matches left this season.
A source with knowledge of the disciplinary procedure told AFP that Argentina’s World-Cup winning captain would be sidelined for “several days”.
Various media in France reported he would be suspended for two weeks.
“He cannot train, cannot play, and will not be paid while disciplinary measures are in place,” the source added.
Hours later the Saudi tourist board issued a press release to celebrate Messi’s visit and detail his “jam-packed itinerary” which included feeding a herd of gazelles.
“Messi’s visit to Saudi was packed with exciting activities, with something for everyone in the family,” it said.
Meanwhile, his teammates were back on the training ground in Paris after suffering a sixth defeat in 17 Ligue 1 matches in 2023.
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