Lionel Messi 'SKIPS PSG training' to go to Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi ‘skips training and flies to Saudi Arabia WITHOUT permission from PSG manager Christophe Galtier’ as part of his £25m-a-year role as a tourism ambassador for the kingdom

• Lionel Messi signed a deal to be a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia last year
• He is currently in the country as part of a trip to the kingdom required in his role
• Messi didn’t get permission from PSG boss Christophe Galtier to take the trip

Lionel Messi has reportedly skipped PSG training to take a trip to Saudi Arabia as part of his role as a tourism ambassador in a move that was not approved by boss Christophe Galtier.

The Argentine played the full 90 minutes of the French giants’ dismal 3-1 defeat to Lorient on Sunday which leaves them just five points clear of Marseille at the top of the table.

Messi’s future at the club remains uncertain with the 35-year-old yet to extend his contract which runs out at the end of this season, amid increasing links with a romantic return to Barcelona.

He signed a lucrative £25m-a-year deal with Saudi Arabia to promote the kingdom in May last year as a tourism ambassador, with Messi taking his first trip in the role when he visited Jeddah soon after.

And, according to L’Equipe, after Sunday’s defeat to Lorient, the club announced players would be in for training on Monday, and have a day off on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi skipped PSG training to take a trip to Saudi Arabia as part of his role as a tourism ambassador for the kingdom

Reports claimed that neither PSG coach Christophe Galtier (left) or sporting director Luis Campos (right) approved the trip

Saudi minister of tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb welcomed Messi for his trip by posting on Twitter

Galtier had originally explained they would have two days off if they beat the mid table Ligue 1 outfit, with the club wary having given players four days off last week when many took the opportunity for a trip abroad.

As a result, every squad member was expected to be at their Camp des Loges training base on Monday.

However, Messi was not present and was in fact in Riyadh as part of his contract with the Saudi tourist office.

The report goes onto state the trip was planned before Sunday’s defeat and could not be rescheduled, with it previously being postponed on two occasions. This included after their last-16 Champions League exit to Bayern Munich.

Sources at the club insisted Messi did ask permission to take part in the trip, but this was not given by either Galtier or sporting director Luis Campos after their training schedule was confirmed to be only one day off.

The forward then went above their heads and then got permission from the club’s Qatari board.

Saudi minister of tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb confirmed Messi was in the kingdom for his trip as he tweeted on Monday: ‘I am happy to welcome #Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences. We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.’

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

Messi’s absence was a major talking point among the players on Monday, with several surprised he went ahead with the trip.

It comes after Campos and PSG’s staff were already unhappy at having to travel to Saudi Arabia for a game against a team-made up of the best players from Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr in January. This saw Messi pitted against long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Messi played the full 90 minutes of PSG’s dismal 3-1 defeat to Lorient at the Parc des Princes

Messi also shared a photo from his stay, claiming he was in awe at the kingdom’s landscapes 

PSG neither confirmed nor denied that Messi had not been authorised to make the trip.

It comes at an intriguing time for the player, with his future uncertain in Paris.

Some reports claim Messi’s will leave the club at the end of the season, but sources from the player’s side claim they are still waiting for more clarity over next season with PSG in regards to the make-up of the squad and the likely manager. Elsewhere, other reports claim club chiefs are still keen to extend his stay at the club.

Along with Barcelona, the World Cup winner has been linked with clubs in both the MLS and Saudi Pro League. 

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