Lionel Messi has publicly apologised to his teammates and employer Paris Saint-Germain via a video message. The Argentinian missed training this week because he was making a commercial trip to Saudi Arabia.
Messi breaks with apology silence after missed training
“I wanted to make this video after everything that happened,” Messi said in a video on his social media. “First of all, I would like to apologise to my teammates and to the club. I really thought we were free after the game, the trainer did that more often in the weeks before.”
The story goes that the PSG players had Monday off, but coach Christophe Galtier changed plans after a painful defeat against FC Lorient. “I had already organised the trip to Saudi Arabia and I had cancelled earlier. I want to apologise again for what I have done, I wait to see what the club decides,” Messi added.
Various French media report that Messi has been suspended for two weeks by the club, but this has not yet been officially announced by PSG.
Galtier bombarded with questions about Messi at press conference
Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier has received many questions about Lionel Messi’s suspension. The Argentinian was suspended for two weeks because he would be absent without permission.
Messi left for Saudi Arabia, but did not have permission from PSG and has been punished by the club management. Galtier was bombarded with questions about Messi, but the press in attendance was none the wiser. “I was informed of the decision to suspend Messi at the beginning of the week,” Galtier said at the press conference ahead of next weekend’s game with Troyes. “I’ve decided not to comment on it. I am an employee of the club, a decision has been made, so I will not comment on it. We’ll see when Leo comes back and what’s going to happen. Of course there will be talks with the club, but in the first place with Leo himself.”
Partly due to the unrest around Messi, supporters of PSG have expressed their anger towards the group of players. Not only the Argentinian, but also big earner Neymar has to suffer because the sporting performance is disappointing and peripheral matters dominate the headlines. According to Galtier, some things are different, “There is a difference between what is written and how it is. We are in a lesser period, but we are working hard to reach our goal. This is a unique season, not only in Ligue 1. The atmosphere in the dressing room tells me that the players want to go for the title.”
It is not expected that Messi will still be a PSG player after this season. Barcelona dreams of his return, while a monster offer from Saudi Arabia is also on the table.
