Messi and PSG, one of the most dramatic partnerships in the soccer world have now taken a new turn after PSG’s official announcement confirms Lionel Messi’s availability for their upcoming match against Ajaccio, while also confirming speculations of an early return.
The Argentinian player is slated to join the first team’s training session on Tuesday, following a brief suspension due to an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.
How did PSG and Messi resolve the suspension issue?
Messi, who faced a two-week suspension for missing practice, managed to reduce the penalty after offering an apology to the club, teammates, and fans.
Consequently, PSG opted to lessen the suspension period, allowing him to train separately at the Ligue 1 leaders’ facility on Monday. However, Messi will still be required to pay a fine of approximately €1.6 million, equivalent to two weeks’ wages.
To quell any lingering doubts, PSG shared an image of Messi in training on social media, announcing his return to the field on May 8th. Later that day, the star player attended the Laureus Awards in Paris, where he was honored as Sportsman of the Year and accepted the World Team of the Year award on behalf of Argentina’s national team.
⚽️🔛 Leo Messi back in training this Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/Neo6GEWEIm
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 8, 2023
What does the future hold for Lionel Messi at PSG?
Despite the resolution, Messi’s future with PSG remains uncertain. Sources close to the player revealed that he has received a formal offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal for the next season, making a contract renewal at PSG unlikely for the 35-year-old. Messi’s connection to Saudi Arabia extends beyond this recent incident; he was appointed as the country’s tourism ambassador last year and played a friendly match with PSG against Saudi League stars in January.
As the current Ligue 1 season draws to a close, PSG stands six points ahead of Lens and eight in front of Marseille, with only four games remaining. The club’s strong position makes it likely that they will successfully defend their title from the previous season. Messi’s availability in the upcoming match against Ajaccio and the team’s unwavering focus will undoubtedly play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
