Lionel Messi publicly apologized to Paris Saint-Germain and his teammates Friday for skipping training at the beginning of the week and going to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission.
Messi said he believed he and the rest of the team had Monday off, but PSG coach Christophe Galtier ordered training following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Lorient.
The club reportedly suspended Messi for two weeks without pay after denying his request to leave. He apparently can’t play or train with teammates during that time.
“First of all, I apologize to my teammates, to the club,” Messi said, according to The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana. “Honestly, I thought we were going to have a day off after the game, as had been happening in previous weeks.
“I had this trip to (Saudi) Arabia organized, and I couldn’t cancel it. I had already canceled it before.
“I repeat again and apologize for what I did. Here I am, waiting for what the club decides.”
Hundreds of PSG fans sang vulgar chants about Messi in front of PSG’s headquarters Wednesday. Fans also targeted Neymar outside of his home in a nearby suburb.
The club beefed up security at its training ground and the players’ homes in response to the protests, sources told Agence France-Presse. PSG condemned the “insulting actions” of the individuals who gathered outside their offices.
News of Messi’s suspension prompted reports of his eventual departure from the club in June. His contract with PSG expires at the end of the season, and his father, Jorge Messi, reportedly informed sporting director Luis Campos about a month ago that he wouldn’t renew it.
The 35-year-old has been linked with a return to Barcelona even as his former club contends with financial constraints in La Liga. He’s also said to have a €400-million offer on the table to play in Saudi Arabia.
Messi agreed to become Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambassador last year. His most recent trip to the country was his second in an official capacity.
PSG manager Christophe Galtier said Friday that he’s unsure if and when Messi will play for the club again.
“We will see when Leo comes back,” Gatlier told reporters. “We will see what happens. Obviously, there will be discussions with the club as a whole but also with Leo because this concerns him first and foremost.”
