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Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi will return to the beginning lineup for Saturday’s Ligue 1 match in opposition to AC Ajaccio at Parc des Princes after serving a club-imposed suspension, Christophe Galtier informed reporters Friday.
“I spoke with him on Tuesday to see what his mindset was and I discovered him very decided to play. … He’ll begin tomorrow,” Galtier mentioned.
Messi has not performed since an April 30 loss to ninth place Lorient. ESPN’s Julien Laurens reported Might 2 that PSG had suspended the Argentinian two weeks with out pay for making an unauthorized journey to Saudi Arabia and lacking coaching.
Galtier informed gamers that they might be given two days off in the event that they beat Lorient and {that a} loss would end in a coaching session the following day. Messi requested for permission to journey to Saudi Arabia to honor a sponsorship deal, and the membership mentioned he could be allowed to go following a win or draw, not a loss.
After the loss to Lorient, Messi flew to Saudi Arabia with out asking once more for permission to take action. His journey resulted in him lacking coaching, which “created tensions throughout the dressing room,” in keeping with ESPN.
Messi was not allowed to coach with the membership throughout his suspension and did not return to coaching till Monday. He apologized to PSG and his teammates in an Instagram video final week.
“I wished to make this video due to what is going on,” Messi mentioned. “To start with, clearly I apologize to my teammates and the membership. I truthfully thought that we have been going to have free time after the sport because it had been occurring within the earlier weeks.
“I had organized this journey to [Saudi] Arabia that I had beforehand canceled and I could not [this time around]. I repeat, I apologize for what I did and I am ready for what the membership decides.”
Messi’s future with PSG has been beneath a microscope of late after ESPN reported Might 3 that he would depart the French champions on the finish of the 2022-23 season when his contract expires.
ESPN additionally reported the World Cup champion had obtained a proper provide to hitch Saudi Arabian membership Al Hilal subsequent season. Barcelona have additionally explored the potential of re-signing their beloved famous person.
Whereas PSG sit first in Ligue 1 with a 25-3-6 report, it has been a extremely disappointing marketing campaign for the membership after struggling early exits from the UEFA Champions League and French Cup.
The Parisians have 4 matches remaining this season.