Messi back to training with PSG after apology
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Argentine forward Lionel Messi is back to training with PSG after getting suspended for going to Saudi Arabia.
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PSG's Lionel Messi reacts during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lorient, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, April 30, 2023 (AP)
Argentine football superstar is back on the pitch training with Paris Saint-Germain on Monday, six days after he was suspended for going on an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.
The club said on Twitter that the forward returned to training with Paris Saint-Germain after failing to attend training last Monday due to going to Saudi Arabia.
"Leo Messi returns to training Monday morning," the club said, posting a photo of the captain of the Argentine national team in action.
⚽️🔛 Leo Messi back in training this Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/Neo6GEWEIm
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 8, 2023
His return at this time indicates that he might feature in the PSG's home match with Ajaccio on Saturday.
PSG is currently defending their Ligue 1 title, having a lead of six points with four more matches remaining.
Messi last Monday went to Saudi Arabia without his club's permission to fulfill commitments as part of a contract with the kingdom's tourist office.
In the wake of the debacle that came to be after his trip to Saudi Arabia, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner published an apology video on Instagram to his nearly 460 million followers.
Messi said he wanted to address "everything that's been happening."
“I sincerely thought we would have a free day after the match [against Lorient], as had happened in previous weeks.”
"I had organized this trip to Saudi Arabia having canceled it previously. This time I couldn't cancel it. I am sorry for what I did and I wait to see what the club decides to do."
Leo Messi statement 🚨🇦🇷 #Messi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 5, 2023
“I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always. I had this trip organized and I couldn't cancel it. I had already canceled it before…”.
“I apologize to my teammates and I'm waiting for what the club wants to do with me”. pic.twitter.com/GBuarEgwSl
The situation has caused speculation that the football legend will be playing with PSG for another season past the expiration of his two-year contract with the club.
The star player has struggled to make an impression at PSG and is expected to leave in the summer, according to reports.
Moreover, his future at PSG was brought into question after he was suspended.
PSG head coach Christophe Galtier asked for greater transparency among his group of players in a news conference in order to reach their season's aim.
Having at one point looked set to extend his stay for another year, a source close to the club told AFP last month that Messi was now "much more likely" to depart.
Messi has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season and is the leading assist provider in Ligue 1, with 15 assists.
But his form since leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar has declined, along with that of most of the PSG team.
