PSG's Lionel Messi reacts during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lorient, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Sunday, April 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
PARIS (AP) – Paris Saint-Germain suspended Lionel Messi for two weeks after the World Cup champion took an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia, French media reported on Tuesday.
The suspension means Messi would miss PSG’s next two games and comes at a delicate time as the French club hopes to extend the Argentine star’s contract beyond this season.
L’Equipe and RMC Sport both reported the suspension without citing sources.
The club did not immediately respond to a request by The Associated Press for comment.
Messi’s trip followed PSG’s surprise 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday, leaving the defending champions with a five-point lead over Marseille with five games left in the season. Messi played the full game.
L’Equipe had reported that PSG coach Christophe Galtier pledged to give his players two days off – Monday and Tuesday – if they beat Lorient. Instead, the team trained on Monday and had Tuesday off.
Messi has a promotional contract with Saudi Arabia.
The forward joined PSG from Barcelona two years ago, and there has been speculation about where he would play next.
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