PARIS, France — Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar forward for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is set to lose approximately €1.7 million in wages due to a two-week suspension handed down by the French Ligue 1 champions.
Messi will miss the club’s next two matches against Troyes and Ajaccio this month following his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.
PSG expressed their discontent with Messi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, after learning he had traveled to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission on Monday, May 1, 2023.
In response, the club decided to suspend the Argentine World Cup winner for two weeks without pay and has asked him to stay away from training during this period.
According to a report in Forbes, the financial ramifications of Messi’s suspension will amount to a loss of around €1.7 million. The former Barcelona captain was in the Middle East fulfilling his role as an ambassador for Saudi Arabian Tourism and spent time in the city of Riyadh.
A club representative stated, “We expect our players to adhere to the rules and regulations set by the club. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi’s unauthorized trip has left us with no choice but to take disciplinary action.”
This suspension marks a significant setback for Messi’s season, and many fans are left wondering if this decision will affect the team’s performance during the upcoming matches.
Regardless of the outcome, the incident serves as a reminder that even the greatest players are not exempt from the consequences of their actions.
