Paris Saint-Germain's suspension of Lionel Messi for two weeks following his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia has sent shockwaves through the football world. The French giants' hierarchy is said to be angry at the Argentine's behaviour, with club president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, reportedly using the opportunity to send a message to the rest of the PSG squad.
According to French news outlet, RMC, Messi visited Saudi Arabia on a personal promotional trip as he is the ambassador for the nation's tourism campaigns, under a €30 million contract. The PSG star requested permission from the team to go after twice postponing business trips there, but flew to the Middle Eastern nation anyway when he didn't receive the green light, skipping PSG training as a result.
Some at the club were incensed by Messi's unapproved absence, and on Tuesday night, it was revealed that he had been suspended for two weeks. During that time, the Argentine captain will not train or play in any games, and he will not receive pay.
PSG's president, Al-Khelaifi, is said to be driving the decision as he wants to send a message to any other players who might be considering doing something similar. The Parisians currently have a number of stars on their roster, with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar both having status equal to that of Messi within the club. However, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, Al-Khelaifi is eager to shift power away from the stars in the squad and towards a culture of discipline.
"Messi’s suspension is evidence of a shifting tone at PSG towards more discipline and an attempted culture change away from player power (traditionally led by star names at PSG)," Jacobs tweeted. PSG has taken action because they no longer tolerate Messi's behaviour and do not feel another profession would either.
The suspension has raised questions about Messi's future at PSG, with some speculating that he may leave the club this summer. The Argentine's contract with PSG runs until 2024, but the suspension could be a sign that the club is ready to part ways with him.
The decision to suspend Messi has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans and analysts believe that the punishment is too severe, while others argue that it was necessary to send a message to the rest of the team. PSG is known for its star-studded lineup, and there have been concerns that the players have too much power within the club. However, the suspension of Messi could be a sign that the hierarchy is trying to change the culture and establish a more disciplined approach.
It remains to be seen what the long-term implications of the suspension will be for Messi and PSG. The Argentine is one of the greatest footballers of all time, and his presence at the club has been a major factor in their recent success. However, his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia has clearly angered the hierarchy, and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to regain their trust.
In the meantime, PSG will have to play without Messi for the next two weeks, which could be a significant blow to their title aspirations. The club is currently second in Ligue 1, three points behind leaders Lyon, and will need to be at their best if they are to win the title this season.
The suspension of Messi is just the latest in a series of controversies to hit PSG in recent years. The club has been criticised for its spending and for its reliance on star players, and there have been concerns that the team lacks a strong team ethic. However, the suspension of Messi could be a sign that the club is ready to change and to establish a more disciplined approach to the game.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for PSG and for Lionel Messi, but the next few weeks could be crucial in determining the
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Reviewed by Eclectic Streams
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May 04, 2023
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