Lionel Messi breaks silence after going AWOL from PSG to make trip to Saudi Arabia leading to talk of summer exit
LIONEL MESSI has issued a statement following his recent suspension by Paris Saint-Germain.
The 35-year-old was suspended by the club after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia which saw him miss training on Monday.
In the statement, the Argentine World Cup winner apologised to team-mates for his actions and explained the reasoning behind the trip to the country.
Posting a video on his Instagram story, he said: “I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always.
“I had this trip organized and I couldn’t cancel it. I had already cancelled it before…
“I apologize to my team-mates and I’m waiting for what the club wants to do with me.”
Messi‘s visit to Saudi Arabia – who he is a tourist ambassador for after agreeing a £25million deal last year – and subsequent suspension prompted massive protests from PSG fans.
Many marched on the club’s headquarters waving banners calling on the club’s leadership and Qatari owners to step down and sell.
But their fury was also directed at players following a 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday.
One chant could be heard calling Messi a “son of a b****”.
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Another group of fans were seen outside of Neymar‘s house.
In a video taken at the scene, they could be heard chanting: “Neymar casse-toi”, which translates to go away but in slang and general use means “f*** off”.
The club released a statement slamming the actions of the supporters.
It said: “Paris Saint-Germain strongly condemns the intolerable and insulting actions of a small group of people, which took place this Wednesday.
“Whatever the differences, nothing can justify such acts. The club gives its full support to its players, its management and all those affected by these shameful behaviours.”
Following the ban, Messi is now set to leave PSG, with both club and player reportedly not wanting to renew his expiring contract at the end of the season.
This has prompted widespread speculation on his future following two underwhelming years in Paris.
Reports suggest his trip to Saudi could be indicative of his future, with the Argentine heavily linked with a transfer to a club in the nation.
This could likely see him reignite his feud with Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently stars for title-chasing Al-Nassr.
However, many teams remain keen on the World Cup winner, including a host of Premier League and European sides.
Pep Guardiola could be in line for a reunion at Manchester City, while cross-town rivals Manchester United would also be keen to get their hands on Messi, though this may depend on the club’s new ownership.
Money spinners Chelsea and Newcastle have been linked too, while the door is open for Barcelona to bring their best-ever player home with Inter Miami also linked in the past.