Images of Argentine great Lionel Messi in Saudi Arabia have been revealed and his countenance in the pictures proved that he had enough fun that he wouldn’t mind a two-week suspension without pay from PSG over the trip.
Messi traveled to Saudi Arabia without the approval of Luis Ocampos nor Christophe Galtier after his team’s home loss to Lorient on Sunday.
The attacker decided to take the trip to fulfill contractual obligations as he’s a tourism ambassador for the country’s tourism board.
He agreed a £25 million deal to promote Saudi Arabia in May 2022 but had only visited the nation once before this week.
Now the trip has triggered a big uproar.
French media outlet, L’Equipe reported that he will not have his contract extended now due to his seeming disregard for the club by not seeking permission before visiting Saudi Arabia.
PSG were angry at Lionel Messi taking the trip and banned him for two weeks during which time he will not play or train for Les Parisians.
However, Messi didn’t look to be bothered as he was pictured with his family and children relishing some downtime in the Middle East.
The Argentine, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, and his sons, Mateo who is 7 and Ciro who is currently 5, were seen visiting a farm yard in the Arab country.
everyone going crazy over messi and psg drama meanwhile he’s feeding gazelles in saudi arabia completely unbothered pic.twitter.com/uVSyBHZ58L
— ꪑ (@frenkiedejonk) May 4, 2023
Lionel Messi was pictured holding a falcon, while other photos showed him petting horses and closely admiring a deer.
Donning a white t-shirt and loose black trousers, the World Cup winner held a bright smile in all of the images.
His wife Antonela Roccuzzo also appeared to be enjoying herself as she wore traditional attires for the visit to the Middle East.
The Messi’s household also swung by an arcade with the South American great playing a game with his kids.
The Suspension of the Argentine means he will not feature in PSG’s games against Troyes and Ajaccio.
The seven-time-Ballon D’or winner has netted 20 goals and provided 19 assists in 37 games for the French giants this campaign.
But with his deal expiring at the end of the season, he could in theory have just three PSG games remaining before penning a deal for a new team.
An emotional comeback to Barcelona has been rumored, but financing the deal could be difficult as Barcelona are currently faced with financial issues.
Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal have also been linked with an astonishing £350million-a-year move for Messi, twice the salary of Cristiano Ronaldo.
And David Beckham’s Inter Miami are also thought to be interested in sealing a deal with the World Cup winner.
If Lionel Messi pens a deal with a Saudi Arabian club, it could signify the opportunity for the footballing world to witness one more time the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry that was witnessed for nine seasons in Spain.
