Messi returns to training with PSG after being banned for traveling to Saudi Arabia

Leo Messi has returned to training Paris Saint-Germain after being fined for an unauthorized trip by the club to Saudi Arabia. The Ligue 1 entity confirmed on their social media that the 35-year-old Argentina international has returned after being fined and suspended for making a promotional visit to the Middle Eastern country without permission.

“Leo Messi, I return to training this Monday morning,” read the club release, accompanied by a photo of the world champion in a training shirt. The Argentinian striker, who is the ambassador of the Saudi Tourism Authority, was photographed in Riyadh a day after his team suffered a surprising defeat against Lorient. He later revealed in a video posted on his official Instagram account that he had to go on the trip for contractual reasons, after previously canceling it, and assumed he had a day off.

“I wanted to make this video after everything that’s going on. First of all, I have to apologize to my teammates and the club. Honestly, I thought that after the match we would be free, as happened in the previous weeks,” the Argentinean announced on social media at the time.

He seven times Ballon d’Or arrived at PSG from Barcelona in August 2021, after the Catalan club went through serious financial difficulties and, although his return has been considered, these difficulties make it unlikely. He has been linked with a move to the Saudi Arabian Pro League in recent days amid reports that he could win up to 366.46 million euros year.