The 35-year-old apologised after being pictured in Riyadh.
Lionel Messi has returned to training with Paris St Germain following his suspension over an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.
The Ligue 1 club confirmed on their official Twitter account on Monday morning that the 35-year-old Argentina international was back in the squad after being fined and suspended for making a promotional visit to the Middle Eastern country without permission.
The post, which was accompanied by a photo of the World Cup winner in training gear, read simply: “Leo Messi in training this morning.”
Messi, who is an ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority, was pictured in Riyadh a day after his side suffered a shock defeat to Lorient.
He later revealed in a video posted on his official Instagram account that he had to make the trip for contractual reasons as he had previously canceled it and assumed he had an off day.
Messi said: “I wanted to make this video because of everything that’s going on.
“First of all I want to apologize to my teammates and the club. I honestly thought we would be free after the game like we have been in previous weeks.
“I organized this trip to Saudi Arabia that was canceled earlier and this time I couldn’t. I apologize again and I’m here, whatever the club decides. All the best.”
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner joined PSG from Barcelona in August 2021 after the Catalan club fell into serious financial difficulties, and while there has been speculation about a return, those difficulties make it unlikely.
He has been linked with a move to the Saudi Arabian Pro League in recent days amid reports he could earn up to £320million a year.