Lionel Messi's time at Parc des Princes seems to be coming to an end as reports on Tuesday claimed that Paris Saint-Germain had suspended the forward for taking a trip to Saudi Arabia without the club's permission.
The length of the suspension could not be confirmed, though French media reported it to be two weeks.
A two-week suspension would mean Messi would miss PSG’s next two games. L'Equipe and RMC Sport both reported the suspension without citing sources.
It was said that the World Cup champion won't be allowed to train or play with the team and won't be paid during his suspension.
PSG had denied Messi's request to make the trip, the reports said.
The 35-year-old Messi has a commercial contract with Saudi Arabia to promote tourism in the Middle Eastern country.
The suspension comes at a delicate time as the French club had hoped to extend the Argentine star’s contract beyond this season.
Messi's trip followed PSG's surprise 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday, leaving the defending champions with a five-point lead over Marseille with five games left in the season. Messi played the full game.
L'Equipe had reported that PSG coach Christophe Galtier pledged to give his players two days off – Monday and Tuesday – if they beat Lorient. Instead, the team trained on Monday and had Tuesday off.
The forward joined PSG from Barcelona two years ago in hopes he could lead the team to an elusive Champions League title. Instead, the Qatari-backed club was eliminated in the round of 16 in consecutive seasons.
There has been speculation about where he would play next, especially after reports that contract talks with PSG had broken down. Some PSG fans have even booed Messi amid the team's inconsistent campaign.
Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title in December. He's scored 15 league goals and leads the French league with 15 assists.
Messi hasn't commented publicly about the suspension on his social media accounts.
Contract issues
As reported by L'Equipe, Lionel Messi will not have his contract renewed at the club following the Saudi Arabia "saga."
Messi signed an optional third-season clause in his contract when he first arrived in 2021 and club officials have decided not to activate it, the report said.
Messi will miss the upcoming Ligue 1 matches against Troyes and Ajaccio but might return for the match against Auxerre on May 21.
He will then be available for the club until the season ends on June 3.