Famous professional footballer, Lionel Messi has apologized for his unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia, which resulted in a two-week suspension from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentine footballer was said to have taken a trip to Saudi Africa with his family following PSG’s home defeat by Lorient last Sunday without the club’s permission.
PSG boss Christophe Galter had told his team that they would be free on Monday and Tuesday if they won the match on Sunday, but if they lost, they would have to report to training on Monday. Sadly, PSG was defeated 3-1.
Despite the humiliating defeat, Messi made the trip and was suspended for two weeks as punishment. He will not be paid and will be unable to attend training sessions for the duration of the suspension.
Messi finally broke his silence in a video posted on his Instagram Story on Friday, saying he assumed he could go on the trip because he had been given that time off in “previous weeks.”
“I wanted to make this video because of what is happening,” the World Cup-winning captain said. “First of all, obviously I apologise to my teammates and the club. I honestly thought that we were going to have free time after the game as it had been happening in the previous weeks.
“I had organised this trip to [Saudi] Arabia that I had previously canceled and I couldn’t [this time around]. I repeat, I apologise for what I did and I’m waiting for what the club decides.”
The 35-year-old football star, who is also a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia, is expected to miss matches against Troyes on Sunday and AC Ajaccio on May 13.
Watch him speak below,
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
