Lionel Messi Suspended for Two Weeks by PSG After Unauthorized Trip to Saudi Arabia

PSG have been forced to publicly criticize one of their star players in recent weeks after Lionel Messi went AWOL just hours after a bruising defeat. Despite his request for club approval for a publicity tour to Saudi Arabia, the Parisians were quick to deny the World Cup champion special treatment, and his request was denied.

However, Messi decided to take matters into his own hands after that knockback, as he traveled to the Middle East regardless, against the wishes of his employer. Messi’s decision was met with anger by PSG, who subsequently opted to suspend the Argentinean for two weeks. The decision could have an impact on PSG’s odds with the best sports betting sites in Arabic for the forthcoming matches, but what does it mean for the long-term future of the World Cup winner?

Has PSG Reversed The Decision?

It was a strong show of strength from PSG CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi to suspend one of their biggest stars, especially at a pivotal stage of the season. But, it doesn’t appear as though the suspension will last for two weeks, as Messi returned to training with the team just seven days after the incident. The Argentinean made a heartfelt apology, and that seemingly was accepted by the officials at the French club.

The two-week suspension handed to Messi was set to run until after their match against Ajaccio on May 13, but the star could be set to return to the line-up for the second of his two-week ban. It is a weak sign from the club that they aren’t able to follow their own suspension, and it could lead to further acts of ill-discipline in the future.

Was It Predictable?

As soon as Messi published an apology, there was a growing feeling that he would return to the first-team fold at the earliest opportunity. Despite training alone on Monday, he returned to training alongside his teammates just 24 hours later. It has already been a chaotic 12-month period for the Parisians, with Kylian Mbappe also reportedly having greater power at the top level of the club after agreeing a multi-year new deal.

The reversal of the decision shows just how powerless PSG is when it comes to the star players. It was also a perfect opportunity to show that no player is bigger than the club, as Messi’s absence against lowly-ranked Ligue 1 sides wouldn’t have played a significant impact on the Parisians and their hunt for the top-flight title this season.

There would have been a clear argument to reverse the suspension should PSG have made it through to the Champions League semi-finals, but ultimately they aren’t a club run well enough to be competing at that stage of the competition alongside the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan.

What Happens Next?

The whole story comes at a crucial time when it comes to contract negotiations, as Messi’s current deal with PSG runs out at the end of the current season. There had been a feeling following the World Cup that he would re-sign with the Parisians, but this new saga may be the final straw. It has already been reported that PSG may adopt a new transfer strategy in the summer, which will see them invest in future stars rather than egotistical current stars.

That would ultimately leave the door open for Messi’s departure, and reports have also claimed that both Mbappe and Neymar may also be allowed to leave the club if their transfer values are matched. However, Messi’s departure looks the most likely, and at this time, there appear to be two viable options on the table for the World Cup winner.

The first of those would be a return to Barcelona, with the La Liga giants keen on making the reunion happen. However, Messi would need to take a significant pay cut in order to make that move happen, as Barcelona is operating on a tight budget. Should Messi seek a new challenge, then a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia remains on the table. According to reports, an offer was made to the PSG star in March, and they are awaiting an answer.

Final Thoughts

The superstar era at PSG appears to be coming to an end, and there is little to show for the failed experiment. The club has come up glaringly short in the Champions League over recent seasons, and a change in strategy may be the smartest decision that PSG has made in over ten years.