Around noon, Paris Saint-Germain's sanction ended with its reappearance at the Camp des Loges. "Leo Messi back in training this Monday morning," the club said on its Twitter account, with a photo of his N.30 in action.
His sidelining eventually lasted six days. He was suspended on Tuesday by PSG after an unauthorized promotional trip to Saudi Arabia, for which the "Pulga" apologized in a short video posted on Instagram.
"I apologise to my team-mates and I await the club's decision. I apologize to my partners and the club," he said in Spanish.
Messi missed the victory in Troyes (3-1), Sunday, and could therefore return for the match of the 35th matchday of Ligue 1 against Ajaccio, Saturday (21:00) at the Parc des Princes.
To complete the end of his penance, Messi received Monday night two awards at the Laureus world sports awards, Place Vendôme in Paris.
He received World Sportsman of the Year and Team of the Year for Argentina, which he led to victory at the World Cup in Qatar on December 18 against France (3-3, 4 t.a.b. to 2).
Half-forgiven fault
This return to the honors of the seven-time Ballon d'Or of France Football comes after the controversy of the trip to Saudi Arabia has somewhat tarnished his image.
Photo provided by Saudi tourism authorities on May 1, 2023 of Argentine striker Lionel Messi, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children visiting Riyadh © - / Saudi Tourism Authority / AFP
His initial two-week suspension was reduced according to the adage admitted fault is half forgiven, "a more elegant way of dealing with things," says a source at the club. "He made a mistake, he apologized, his message was clear."
The Argentinian will be able to return to the field, where he is on the verge of a second title of champion of France, Paris having six points ahead of Lens (2nd) four days from the end of the season.
The star will remain in the news since the rumors around his next club do not dry up. The latest from the Spanish press evoke a proposal of the Saudi giant Al Hilal, to several hundred million euros, for a remake in the Arabian desert of its duel with Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays at Al-Nassr since the end of the World Cup.
FC Barcelona and its financiers are still working on a clever scheme to try to bring back the prodigy son, and David Beckham's Inter Miami is also working to lure him into its nets.
La Pulga was filmed in a big discussion on the Laureus red carpet with Barça striker Robert Lewandowski, also present at the ceremony, an image that will revive the dreams of the Camp Nou to see this duo in "blaugrana".
If his destination remains uncertain, Messi's separation from the capital club at the end of his contract in June seems consummated. His visit to the Laureus Trophies is surely one of his last appearances in Paris.
© 2023 AFP