PARIS – Lionel Messi is in line to return for Paris Saint-Germain for Saturday’s Ligue 1 sport at dwelling to Ajaccio after a club-imposed suspension for occurring an unauthorised journey to Saudi Arabia.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner sat out final weekend’s win at Troyes after lacking a coaching session to fulfil commitments in his position as a Saudi tourism ambassador.
The Argentine later apologised to the membership and his team-mates, and resumed coaching with PSG on Monday, however his time on the Parc des Princes is coming to a tragic finish.
After two uninspiring years in France, Messi appears set to play in Saudi Arabia subsequent season as a part of a blockbuster deal that may see him comply with arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo to the Gulf kingdom.
Messi, who turns 36 subsequent month, will signal a “enormous” contract with an as-yet-unnamed membership, a supply near the negotiations instructed AFP this week.
“Messi is a finished deal. He’ll play in Saudi Arabia subsequent season,” stated the supply, talking on situation of anonymity.
“The contract is outstanding. It is enormous. We’re simply finalising some small particulars,” added the supply, who will not be authorised to talk to media.
PSG have but to substantiate the departure, whereas Messi’s father and agent Jorge insists the World Cup winner has not determined the place he’ll play subsequent season.
Nevertheless it seems sure his stint at PSG will conclude in June, after the membership hopes to rejoice a report eleventh French league crown.
“If the membership had wished to resume his contract, it might have been finished earlier,” stated a PSG supply.
Lens can shut the hole on the high to 3 factors in the event that they beat Reims on Friday, however the title stays PSG’s to lose with their 4 remaining fixtures towards sides within the backside half.
Upcoming opponents Ajaccio are destined for a direct return to Ligue 2 having gained simply as soon as in 13 matches, with three of the 4 relegation spots all however determined.
Auxerre, in sixteenth, are combating to keep away from struggling the identical destiny as Ajaccio and tackle Brest, the staff immediately above them within the standings.
Strasbourg bid to proceed their late-season resurgence towards Good because the go to of relegated Angers supplies third-placed Marseille the best likelihood to bounce again from defeat at Lens.
One to look at: Elye Wahi
The 20-year-old striker grew to become the primary participant to attain 4 instances for Montpellier in a Ligue 1 sport in final weekend’s extraordinary 5-4 loss at Lyon.
The France Beneath-21 worldwide has netted 17 objectives for the marketing campaign, pulling to inside 4 of Olivier Giroud’s membership report set throughout Montpellier’s title-winning season in 2011-12.
It hasn’t been a seamless path to the highest for Wahi, who was kicked out of Caen’s academy earlier than practically becoming a member of Rennes, however larger issues lie forward for a participant more and more in demand.
Key stats
46 – factors collected by Lens on the Stade Bollaert-Delelis this season. They’ve the league’s greatest dwelling report by a distance, profitable 15 of 17 matches.
17 – video games with no win for Troyes. After kicking off the brand new 12 months with a victory at Strasbourg, Troyes have claimed solely 4 factors since and may very well be relegated this weekend.
10 – golf equipment to have modified coach this season in Ligue 1 after Antoine Kombouare was dismissed by Nantes. His substitute Pierre Aristouy’s first sport in cost is towards Toulouse, who thrashed the Canaries 5-1 within the French Cup remaining.
Fixtures (kick-offs all GMT)
Friday
Lens v Reims (1900)
Saturday
Strasbourg v Good (1500), Paris Saint-Germain v Ajaccio (1900)
Sunday
Clermont v Lyon (1100), Brest v Auxerre, Montpellier v Lorient, Rennes v Troyes, Toulouse v Nantes (all 1500), Monaco v Lille (1505), Marseille v Angers (1845)
