Reports: PSG suspends Messi for 2 weeks for trip to Saudi Arabia

PARIS (Agencies): Lionel Messi has reportedly been suspended for two weeks by Paris Saint-Germain for making an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.

The Argentine was pictured in the country, for which he is an ambassador, alongside his wife and children.

Speculation had swirled on Tuesday regarding PSG’s displeasure with Messi for making the trip despite the side losing to Lorient at home on the weekend.

According to French publication L’Equipe and broadcaster RMC, PSG have dished out a harsh punishment to the Argentine for travelling without the permission of the club hierarchy.

It is claimed that Messi will not appear for the club for two weeks after skipping training to make the trip to the country.

Should the suspension be confirmed, Messi will miss league fixtures against Troyes and Ajaccio.

The suspension comes amid mounting speculation and uncertainty surrounding Messi’s future with the club, despite reports emerging at the end of the World Cup that he would sign a new deal to remain in Paris beyond this summer.

It is now believed Inter Miami or Barcelona represent his likeliest options, though the trip to Saudi Arabia will only serve pour petrol on the flames of speculation he could join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East.

He played the full 90 minutes of the French giants’ dismal 3-1 defeat to Lorient on Sunday which leaves them just five points clear of Marseille at the top of the table.

The squad, management and supporters have become increasingly fractured in the weeks and months following their Champions League exit to Bayern Munich, with the trip to Saudi Arabia by no means Messi’s first misdemeanour in that time in the club’s eyes.

According to L’Equipe, after Sunday’s defeat to Lorient, the club announced players would be in for training on Monday, and have a day off on Tuesday.

Galtier had originally explained they would have two days off if they beat the mid table Ligue 1 outfit, with the club wary having given players four days off last week when many took the opportunity for a trip abroad.

As a result, every squad member was expected to be at their Camp des Loges training base on Monday.

However, Messi was not present and was in fact in Riyadh as part of his contract with the Saudi tourist office.

The report goes onto state the trip was planned before Sunday’s defeat and could not be rescheduled, with it previously being postponed on two occasions. This included after their last-16 Champions League exit to Bayern Munich.

Sources at the club insisted Messi did ask permission to take part in the trip, but this was not given by either Galtier or sporting director Luis Campos after their training schedule was confirmed to be only one day off.

The forward then went above their heads and then got permission from the club’s Qatari board.

Saudi minister of tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb confirmed Messi was in the kingdom for his trip as he tweeted on Monday: ‘I am happy to welcome #Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences. We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.’

Messi also posted a photo on his Instagram from his stay with the caption: ‘Who thought Saudi has so much green? I love to explore its unexpected wonders whenever I can. #visitsaudi.’

Messi’s absence was a major talking point among the players on Monday, with several surprised he went ahead with the trip.

It comes after Campos and PSG’s staff were already unhappy at having to travel to Saudi Arabia for a game against a team-made up of the best players from Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr in January. This saw Messi pitted against long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.