Lionel Messi to start for PSG in Ligue 1 after club end ban for unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia

ByEurosport

Published 12/05/2023 at 12:25 GMT

Lionel Messi's suspension from Paris Saint-Germain is over. Messi missed PSG's 3-1 win against Troyes last weekend as he was serving a two-week ban after making an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia. Messi issued a public apology last week which saw his ban get cut short. PSG boss Christophe Galtier confirmed Messi will start against Ajaccio on Saturday as the club seek an 11th Ligue 1 title.

Lionel Messi will start for Paris Saint-Germain against Ajaccio on Saturday, manager Christophe Galtier has confirmed.

Messi was handed a two-week ban after going on an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. Last week he issued an apology on social media which saw his ban cut short by a week.

He said: “First of all, I apologise to my team-mates, to the club. Honestly, I thought we were going to have a day off after the game, as had been happening in previous weeks.

Transfers

Messi could become co-owner of Inter Miami with Beckham – Paper Round

06/04/2024 at 07:10

“I had this trip to Arabia organised and I couldn’t cancel it. I had already cancelled it before.

“I repeat again and apologise for what I did. Here I am, waiting for what the club decides.”

After the formal apology, PSG allowed Messi to return to training alone on Monday before joining the rest of the team on Tuesday.

On Friday, PSG boss Christophe Galtier confirmed that Messi would start in PSG's game against Ajaccio on Saturday evening.

"I spoke to Lionel Messi about his return on Tuesday to see what kind of mindset he was in,” Galtier told reporters.

"He was very calm, and I thought that that he was very motivated to play and determined to win another trophy. Yes, he will start tomorrow."

• Haaland named FWA men's footballer of the year, Kerr wins women's award
• Liverpool 'really attractive' to players even without Champions League football - Klopp

Messi has scored 15 goals and produced 15 assists in 28 Ligue 1 games for PSG this season.

The 2022 World Cup winner is reportedly set for a move away from PSG, either to Barcelona or Saudi Arabia, at the end of the season once his contract expires in June.

Leo Messi warms up during a Paris Saint-Germain training session on May 11, 2023 in Paris, France

Image credit: Getty Images

PSG will be looking to defend their five-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Football

'The moment I feel I am no longer able to perform' - Messi hints at retirement plans

27/03/2024 at 13:24

Olympic Games Paris 2024

France boss Henry warns of 'long journey' as groups drawn for Olympic football

20/03/2024 at 23:16

Football

'I wanted to participate' - Messi defends controversial Hong Kong friendly absence

06/02/2024 at 14:05