Lionel Messi Skips Training Without Permission; Travels To Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi, the Argentine forward for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has reportedly missed training with his team after taking an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia.

The footballer was in Saudi Arabia as part of his role as a tourism ambassador, which he signed on for last May, in a £25m-a-year deal.

This is not the first time Messi has gone to Saudi Arabia in his ambassadorial role; he previously visited Jeddah in this capacity.

Lionel Messi’s decision to take the trip to Saudi Arabia comes at a time when his future at PSG remains uncertain.

His contract with the team runs out at the end of this season, and there has been no word on whether it will be extended.

This uncertainty, combined with his decision to take an unapproved trip, has raised questions about Messi’s commitment to PSG.

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According to L’Equipe, PSG announced that players would be in for training on Monday and would have a day off on Tuesday. However, Messi was not present at training on Monday, and instead was in Riyadh.

The trip had been planned before PSG’s 3-1 defeat to Lorient on Sunday and could not be rescheduled, despite having been postponed twice before.

Sources at the club stated that Messi did ask permission to take part in the trip, but this was not granted by either coach Christophe Galtier or sporting director Luis Campos.

After being denied permission, Messi went over their heads and obtained permission from the club’s Qatari board.

The Saudi minister of tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb, confirmed Messi’s presence in the country on Twitter, saying: “I am happy to welcome #Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences.”

Messi also posted a photo on Instagram from his stay in Saudi Arabia, with the caption: “Who thought Saudi has so much green? I love to explore its unexpected wonders whenever I can. #visitsaudi.”

Messi’s absence from training on Monday caused a stir among his PSG teammates, with several expressing surprise that he went ahead with the trip despite the team’s schedule.

The situation has raised questions about Messi’s commitment to the team and his future with PSG.