Lionel Messi’s future at PSG is uncertain after he reportedly took an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia as part of his role as a tourism ambassador.
The Argentine skipped training without permission from his coach, Christophe Galtier, and was in Riyadh instead.
Despite playing the full 90 minutes in PSG’s recent defeat to Lorient, Messi’s contract with the club expires at the end of the season and he has yet to extend it.
He signed a £25m-a-year deal with Saudi Arabia to promote tourism in May 2021, and this recent trip was reportedly planned before Sunday’s defeat and could not be rescheduled.
While sources at the club insist Messi did ask for permission to take part in the trip, it was not granted by Galtier or sporting director Luis Campos.
The forward then sought permission from the club’s Qatari board. Messi’s absence from training was a surprise to his teammates, and his future at PSG remains in doubt.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
