Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have opened a disciplinary procedure against soccer legend Lionel Messi for travelling to Saudi Arabia without permission from the club.
Various French media have claimed the Messi risks a two-week suspension. However, a source disclosed to AFP that the period of suspension for the Argentine World Cup winning captain would be a few days.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who will turn 36 in June, played in PSG’s 3-1 home defeat to Lorient in Ligue 1 on Sunday, 30th April. He then travelled to Saudi Arabia on business.
But his club coach had cancelled the usual rest day, meaning Messi was missing from an unexpected requirement to be on duty in Paris.
Messi left Barcelona in 2021 to join PSG, but he has struggled to reproduce his best in Paris, scoring 31 goals in 69 appearances.
Some fans see him as a symbol of all the club have done wrong in focusing on superstar signings while failing to build a real competitive team.
His name was jeered by some PSG fans as the teams were announced prior to the 1-0 home defeat against Lyon in Ligue 1.
