South-Africa: Messi back with PSG: Why suspension was lifted after apology for Saudi Arabia trip

As Paris Saint-Germain crafted a 3-1 victory over Troyes on Sunday without Lionel Messi and continued their march toward another Ligue 1 title, it seemed for all the world that the Argentine superstar was done at the French club.

Messi was suspended for two weeks due to his unauthorised absence from training on Monday, May 1 following defeat to Lorient, having instead jetted off to Saudi Arabia to fulfill sponsorship duties.

Reports flowed from multiple top journalists that Messi was not only set to miss two weeks of matches, training, and his regular salary, but that he was likely done at PSG altogether, not suiting up for the club again.

Now, that’s all been thrown into question as Messi was spotted at PSG training on Monday, May 8, and reports flowed that his suspension had been lifted.

It appears that his apology posted on social media has satisfied club hierarchy, and he has been allowed back with the team, though it’s not clear whether he’ll suit up for the next game.

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Lionel Messi has returned to PSG regular training session today morning at Camp des Loges — after saying sorry with the public statement. 🔴🇦🇷 #PSG

Situation looks more calm after tension aroind Saudi trip — but it’s still unclear if Messi will be available for game vs Ajaccio. pic.twitter.com/ptcq8Oahdj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 8, 2023

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Why was Lionel Messi’s PSG suspension lifted?

Lionel Messi posted an apology on Instagram explaining his absence from training and taking blame for the error in scheduling.

It seems that has given club executives and management a reason to lift his suspension early, having served just one of the two weeks he was meant to stay away.

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Reports from French publications RMC Sport and Canal+ claim that Messi’s apology was enough to assuage the situation at PSG, and allow the Argentina star to train with the club once again. His status in the matchday squad for the next match at home against Ajaccio is unclear.

Messi was spotted in training on Monday, May 8. He was training by himself, as PSG are typically given Mondays off following a win. Yet his presence at the training ground in general was a clear indication that his suspension had indeed been lifted, given banishment from training was part of the discipline handed down by the club.

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Will Messi play again for PSG?

It’s still unclear whether Messi will return to the PSG matchday squad again this season, given that there were a significant number of reports that the Argentine would never again don a PSG shirt. Tariq Panja of the New York Times claimed that Messi would indeed not play for PSG again.

However, it seems that things are trending towards Messi’s return to the PSG lineup, with the Canal+ report claiming that he will be available for selection this weekend against Ajaccio.

If he does not return against Ajaccio, he could still play a role in PSG’s final three matches of the league season against Auxerre, Strasbourg, or Clermont Foot. PSG lead the Ligue 1 table by six points and are pushing for final confirmation of their third straight league title.

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Source: Sporting News | Read More