Lionel Messi has apologised for his unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia and attempted to explain the situation that has resulted in a suspension by Paris Saint-Germain.

The Argentine international did not report to training with the French champions on Monday following the club’s 3-1 defeat to Lorient as he was in Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh.

Advertisement

PSG responded by suspending the 35-year-old for two weeks and, as a result, ruling him out of Ligue 1 games against Troyes and Ajaccio.

Messi has now moved to explain his actions while revealing he has addressed the issue with his teammates and the club.

“Hello, well, I wanted to make this video after everything that is happening,” he said in a video posted on Instagram.

“First of all, I apologise to my teammates, to the club. 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 Arabia organised and I couldn’t cancel it. I had already cancelled it before.

“I repeat again and apologise for what I did. Here I am, waiting for what the club decides.”

Messi has a multi-million pound deal with Saudi – who want to host the 2030 World Cup – to promote tourism in the country but PSG have been left angered by the player prioritising that work over his commitments to them.

The club were determined to make an example of the player, regardless of his status in the sport, as they crack down on discipline within the squad.

Messi’s future at PSG beyond the 2022-23 season is uncertain. He joined the club from Barcelona in the summer of 2021 on a two-year contract worth €30million per year.

The deal includes the option of a third year at the same rate if both parties agree to trigger the extension, but it remains unclear whether it will be triggered or not.

PSG want to rebuild around Kylian Mbappe and younger French talent, which is likely to leave Messi surplus to requirements.

GO DEEPER

If not PSG for Lionel Messi, then where?

(Photo: Getty Images)