PSG to ban Messi for 2 weeks after unannounced trip to Saudi Arabia

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World Cup winner Lionel Messi will face a 2-week suspension by Paris Saint-Germain following an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia after a 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday, according to French media reports.

After playing the full 90 minutes in the shocking defeat to the 10th-ranked Ligue 1 side, Messi headed, unannounced, to Saudi Arabia to fulfill the requirements of his contract with the Saudi tourist office, as a result, the star missed a PSG training session on Monday. 

The Qatari-owned PSG will sanction their second highest-paid player as sources told AFP that "he cannot train, cannot play, and will not be paid while disciplinary measures are in place."

Messi is expected to be sidelined for upcoming games against Troyes on May 7, and against Ajaccio on May 13, eventually returning to action on Auxerre on May 21.

The superstar brought to Argentina, alongside his compatriots, the highest international honor in December 2022 by winning the World Cup after failing to do so in 4 previous attempts. 

However, at the club level, Messi struggled to secure substantial achievements for PSG, as their Champions League campaign was cut short at the Round of 16 by struggling Bayern Munich.

Neither Messi nor his co-stars were able to score against the German team, who kept PSG's star-studded side at bay in both legs of the elimination round.

Rumors earlier in April suggested that PSG will not be renewing the superstar's contract as "The dynamics have completely changed with PSG less pushing to renew (his contract)," the source said, adding that there was "no deal, no exit yet. But exit is much more likely."

After this week's incident, discrepancies between the two sides have been blown into full effect, as it seems impossible for the French to extend his contract after the player bypassed club rules and regulations.