Controversial Journey of World Football Star to Saudi Arabia; Messi Apologizes

Lionel Messi, the world football star, apologized for his trip to Saudi Arabia and absence from a training session with Paris Saint-Germain. French media reported that Messi was suspended from the French team for two weeks after traveling to Saudi Arabia without informing the club, at a time when he was supposed to train with his team. Messi's trip to Saudi Arabia, which was made on a private jet of a wealthy Saudi without the permission of the Qatari-owned French club, angered Paris Saint-Germain fans who gathered outside the club's building demanding his dismissal. In a video posted on his Instagram story, Messi said, 'I really thought I would have a day off after the game like previous weeks. I had planned this trip and couldn't cancel it. I had canceled it once before.' The training was scheduled after a 3-1 defeat against Lorient. Christophe Galtier, the team's coach, stated that he had no connection to the club's decision to suspend Messi. Messi will miss the next two games against Troyes and Ajaccio. Galtier said in a press conference, 'When Leo returns, we will see what happens. Obviously, we will have discussions with him and the whole club.' A source close to Messi told Reuters that he has received an official offer to join the Saudi club Al-Hilal for the next season and that renewing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain is not very important to him. Saudi Arabia appointed Messi as its tourism ambassador last year, and he visited Jeddah in May 2022. Messi returned in January to play a friendly match with Paris Saint-Germain against a team of stars from the Saudi league, where he faced his fierce rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Ramon Diaz, the coach of Al-Hilal, did not respond to claims that the Saudi club is trying to attract Messi. Messi's departure from Paris; the trip to Saudi Arabia has diminished the football superstar's standing among the people of Paris. Huge profits from the transfer to Saudi Arabia; Ronaldo became the highest-paid athlete in the world.