Lionel Messi seems to have attracted quite a bit of attention in the last few hours. The 2022 World Cup winner was suspended by PSG after going on an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. Despite having the idea of a trip to the Middle East rejected by manager Christophe Galtier, Messi decided to go ahead with the plan anyway.
🚨 Paris Saint-Germain have decided to suspend Lionel Messi with immediate effect for two weeks, sources confirm.
The suspension will take place now after Messi’s trip to Saudi NOT authorized by the club as per @RMCSport.
Messi side, still waiting on official communication. pic.twitter.com/j223WK2r5Z
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2023
The club decided to suspend Messi for two weeks, without pay. This would be quite a rare occasion where the soccer legend has landed himself in trouble. He has always managed to stay in the good books of his managers, and it would be safe to claim that Messi isn’t known for breaking the rules.
🚨 Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season. There are no doubts about that anymore.
Behind the scenes, it’s now understood that Leo’s father Jorge communicated the decision to PSG already one month ago due to the project.
It was the final breaking point. pic.twitter.com/Bwehuvyq1E
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 3, 2023
If that wasn’t controversial enough, journalist Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that the forward would be leaving Paris at the end of this season. Sources say that Messi’s father, Jorge, communicated with PSG a month ago that his son would be leaving the club. It has come as a surprise, as fans seem to be caught off guard by the news.
I said it, the punishment was due to him not renewing. What’s has traveling to Saudi got to do with 2 weeks suspension. It’s unfair!!
— Napaul (@LifeOfNapaul) May 3, 2023
Newspapers in France see that a new period has begun in Paris Saint-Germain, titled “No Special Powers” after Lionel Messi’s penalty.
But there are those who see the matter differently, that the punishment came because they are sure of his departure, and if his contract was…
— ghaleb alaqrabawi (@ghalebaqrabawii) May 3, 2023
A even tweeted, “The punishment was due to him not renewing. What’s has traveling to Saudi got to do with 2 weeks suspension,” while another user pointed out that PSG only suspended Messi because they were aware of his decision to leave. This opens the door to plenty of speculations, but there is one that could interest plenty of soccer fans.
PSG’s decision to suspend Lionel Messi confirms Kylian Mbappe’s authority?
Kylian Mbappe signed quite a lucrative contract with PSG back in May 2022. Although the monetary details of the deal have not been disclosed, it would be safe to claim that the French superstar rakes in hundreds of millions over three years. He sits at 3rd place on Forbes‘ highest-paid athletes list for 2023.
Contract signed for Kylian Mbappé. Paris Saint-Germain are preparing the official announcement. It’s all sorted and sealed. 📑✍🏻 #PSG
It will take time to process the future departure of Leonardo and Mauricio Pochettino, of course.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 21, 2022
It is claimed that Mbappe made $100 million from his soccer contract and that he boasts the highest-paid contract in the sport. For those who don’t know, Mbappe was on the verge of leaving Paris in 2022. There were plenty of rumors about his transfer to Real Madrid, as the 2018 World Cup winner continued to tease the world that the Los Blancos were his dream club.
Despite this, he signed a contract extension with PSG, and President Nasser Al-Khelaifi announced it in style. At the time, multiple sources claimed that Mbappe has a say in the club’s operations as well, leaving him to decide to stay. However, the player denied this but the fans don’t seem to believe him.
If it was mbappe they would say it was a “missundestanding”
— Lucas Bezerra (@BerkkoFG) May 3, 2023
After Messi’s exit from the club was seemingly confirmed, a fan tweeted, “If it was mbappe they would say it was a “missundestanding.”” This is an indication that Mbappe would not have faced the same “punishment” that Messi received from the club, according to the user.
Many believe that Lionel Messi could return to his boyhood club Barcelona, where he tasted most of his success. However, soccer seems to be an unpredictable sport, and reports of the Argentina legend’s move to Saudi Arabia have been emerging as well.