Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has issued an apology to his Paris Saint-Germain teammates after being hit with a brutal suspension over his unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this week. Messi was handed a massive fine and a club ban for making an unsanctioned, mid-season trip to Saudi Arabia. His teammates were reported to have been shocked by his trip, particularly after being left reeling to a league defeat to Lorient. 
Though the football legend’s reason for the trip was to fulfill his role as an ambassador for the Middle East nation, he did not seek permission from the club. His action has further soured his relationship with PSG supporters. Fans took part in protests against the forward outside of the club’s Paris headquarters. Messi has now responded to the backlash that trailed the trip by apologizing to the club and his team-mates, saying in a broadcast on social media; “I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always. I had this trip organised and I couldn’t cancel it. I had already canceled it before. I apologise to my team-mates and I’m waiting for what the club wants to do with me.” I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always. I had this trip organized and I couldn’t cancel it as i already canceled it before, I apologize to my teammates and I’m waiting for what the club wants to do with me — Lionel Messi pic.twitter.com/Abx5Oo9L6i — Naija (@Naija_PR) May 5, 2023 He is not expected to feature in the games against Troyes and Ajaccio.
He tweeted; “Paris Saint-Germain have decided to suspend Lionel Messi with immediate effect for two weeks, sources confirm. The suspension will take place now after Messi’s trip to Saudi NOT authorized by the club as per @RMCSport. Messi side, still waiting on official communication.” 🚨 Paris Saint-Germain have decided to suspend Lionel Messi with immediate effect for two weeks, sources confirm. The suspension will take place now after Messi’s trip to Saudi NOT authorized by the club as per @RMCSport. Messi side, still waiting on official communication. pic.twitter.com/j223WK2r5Z — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2023 Messi’s PSG contract is set to expire after this season, with widely reported interest from MLS (Inter Miami) and Saudi Arabia (Al Hilal). Barcelona has also explored the possibility of bringing Messi back to Camp Nou following his dramatic departure in the summer of 2021. 
Cristiano Ronaldo Junior, the son of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, will be joining Mahd Football Academy in Saudi Arabia following his father’s recent move to Al-Nassr. Recall that 37-year-old Ronaldo recently signed for Saudi side Al-Nassr in a mouth-watering that saw him become the highest-paid sportsman in the World. Before the family’s recent relocation to the Middle East country, Ronaldo Junior spent two years in Juventus’ academy system while his father was playing in Italy. He most recently wore the No. 7 shirt as a prospect with Manchester United and was also featured in Real Madrid’s youth team. 
The youngster who was recently spotted pulling off his father’s iconic ‘siuuu’ celebration after scoring in an Under-12s tournament for the Red Devils, has left United too and will now play at an academy level in Saudi Arabia. 
