PSG were potentially planning on dismissing Lionel Messi (35) over his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia but eventually backed down, according to a report tonight from RMC Sport.
A day after the domestic league defeat against Lorient, the Argentine flew to the Gulf state to fulfill his contractual obligations as the country’s tourism ambassador.
However, his PSG teammates were training and PSG head coach Christophe Galtier did not praise his playmaker’s journey. The club’s response was swift: a two-week suspension, which meant Messi could not play for PSG or use the club’s training facilities with his salary for that period.
According to the outlet, PSG went even further. They suspended Messi and sent him a summons for a pre-release interview. The 7-time Ballon d’Or winner’s entourage then quickly tried to reverse Messi’s potential dismissal. PSG reportedly blamed Messi for not showing up for training but also for “various shortcomings”.
According to RMC, if Messi were to take the matter to court, PSG would likely see the dismissal overturned on these grounds alone.
Eventually, RMC adds, Messi and PSG’s legal advisers worked out a secret contract. He claims that Les Parisiens would welcome the Argentine back in training if he apologised.
On Friday, May 5, the former Barcelona man apologized on Instagram, explaining that he believed the team would have a day off after the defeat to Lorient. Four days later, Messi trained individually at the Camp des Loges and resumed full training with his teammates the day after.
It remains to be seen whether Galtier will line up Messi against Ajaccio on Saturday at the Parc des Princes for the 35th Ligue 1 match. The outlet adds that PSG have denied their report.