Lionel Messi suspended by PSG for unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia as photos go viral

Lionel Messi with his family in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Image Courtesy: Twitter @psg_chief

Xtra Time Web Desk: Paris Saint Germain has suspended Lionel Messi for going on a personal trip to Saudi Arabia without seeking the permission from the club. The Argentine superstar is understood to have asked PSG for permission to be able to travel to the country, which he did on Sunday night, having twice postponed a scheduled commercial trip there previously due to team defeats.

However, PSG did not give Messi the permission to travel and has therefore been suspended for two games and fined two weeks’ wages after a day of meetings between the club’s hierarchy.

The 35-year-old footballer was in Riyadh on Monday and pictures of his visit have gone viral. Messi also serves as a tourism ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

The level of response from the club, who are declining to comment publicly, is proof of a new policy at PSG, driven by president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, whereby no one is bigger than the club – and the same rules will apply to everyone.

Messi will now miss the upcoming Ligue 1 matches against Troyes and Ajaccio.