Lionel Messi resumes training with PSG after suspension for unauthorized trip

Lionel Messi has returned to training with Paris St Germain (PSG) following his suspension over an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.

The Ligue 1 club confirmed on their official Twitter account on Monday morning that the 35-year-old Argentina international was back among the fold after he was fined and suspended for undertaking a promotional visit to the Middle East country without permission.

The post, which was accompanied by a photograph of the World Cup winner in training kit, said simply: “Leo Messi back in training this Monday morning.”

Messi, who is an ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority, was pictured in Riyadh the day after his side had suffered a surprise defeat to Lorient.

ALSO READ: ‘Mistakes are part of football’, Ten Hag defends De Gea after West Ham error

He later revealed in a video posted on his official Instagram account that he had to make the trip for contractual reasons, having previously canceled it, and assumed he had a day off.

ALSO READ: Samuel Iling-Junior: Rising Juventus star from Chelsea’s academy

Messi said: “I wanted to make this video due to everything that is happening.

“First of all, I want to say sorry to my teammates and to the club. I honestly thought that we were going to be free after the game, as had been the case in previous weeks.

“I had organized this trip to Saudi Arabia, which had been canceled previously and this time I couldn’t. I apologise 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.

In recent days, he has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League amid reports he could earn up to £320million a year.