Messi has issued an apology to his PSG teammates after being suspended by the French club for an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.
The trip followed PSG’s home defeat by Lorient on Sunday, in which Messi played the full 90 minutes.
In a video statement released on Friday, Messi explained, “I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always. I had this trip organized and I couldn’t cancel it. I had already cancelled it before…” He added, “I apologize to my teammates and I’m waiting for what the club wants to do with me.”
Leo Messi statement ??? #Messi
“I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always. I had this trip organized and I couldn't cancel it. I had already canceled it before…”.
“I apologize to my teammates and I'm waiting for what the club wants to do with me”. pic.twitter.com/GBuarEgwSl
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 5, 2023
Meanwhile, PSG manager Christophe Galtier has distanced himself from Messi’s suspension, stating that he had “nothing to do with” the decision.
He also condemned fan protests outside players’ homes, saying, “Leo’s suspension has added to poor performances, we can’t hide behind that.
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“The decision was nothing to do with me. I was informed of the decision. I can’t say it has been a pleasant period.”
It has been reported that fans gathered outside the home of PSG’s Brazilian forward Neymar on Wednesday, chanting for him to leave the club.
The club are currently struggling with poor performances and the suspension of Messi is not expected to help the situation.