Following his suspension for his trip to Saudi Arabia without permission, Lionel Messi has resumed practicing with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Ligue 1 team said on Monday morning that the 35-year-old Argentina international, who had been fined and suspended for making an unauthorized promotional trip to the Middle East, was now back in the fold.
Simply stated, the message read: “Leo Messi is back in training this Monday morning.” It was accompanied by a photo of the World Cup champion wearing workout gear.
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 8, 2023
Leo Messi back in training this Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/Neo6GEWEIm
The day after his team’s shocking loss to Lorient, Messi, an ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority, was spotted in Riyadh.
He later explained in a video uploaded on his official Instagram account that he had to make the trip despite having first canceled it due to contractual obligations and had mistakenly believed he had the day free.
“I wanted to make this video because of everything that is going on,” remarked Messi.
“I want to start by apologizing to the club and my teammates. I genuinely believed that, like in previous weeks, we would have free time after the game.
“I had organized this trip to Saudi Arabia, which had been canceled previously and this time I couldn’t. I apologize again and I’m here for 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 ran into severe financial difficulties and, although a return has been mooted, those difficulties make that unlikely.
He has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League in recent days amid claims he could make up to £320 million annually.