Messi at PSG earlier back from suspension: ‘He will start tomorrow’

Lionel Messi will ‘just’ be in the starting lineup at Paris Saint-Germain tomorrow in the league match against Ajaccio. So says his coach Christophe Galtier.

Last week, 35-year-old Messi missed a PSG training session because he had left for Saudi Arabia for promotion work. Following that, the Argentine world champion was initially suspended by the Paris club for two weeks.

A week later, however, he reappeared at training. Without the striker, PSG won 3-1 at Troyes last Sunday. Now Messi returns to the match sheet a week ahead of schedule, and even in the starting lineup.

Galtier was convinced by Messi in an interview. “I spoke to him on Tuesday to see how he stood in it, and I found him very determined to play. He will start tomorrow.”

After the suspension, Messi apologized to his teammates.

“I thought, as always, we would have a day off after the game,” Messi told Instagram in a video on Friday. “I had planned this trip and I couldn’t cancel it. I apologize to my teammates and wait to see what the club wants to do with me.”

Messi is Saudi Arabia’s tourist ambassador, so he flew to the Gulf state with his family. Initially, this was not a problem because PSG’s selection would have two days off.

However, coach Galtier had withdrawn one of those days off after the embarrassing 3-1 home defeat against Lorient on Sunday, April 30. He expected everyone on the training field the following day, but Messi was already on his way to Saudi Arabia at that time.

It was written by several French media that Messi is likely to leave PSG after this season. A transfer to a Saudi club or to his old love FC Barcelona seems obvious.

Meanwhile, PSG’s hard core has turned against Messi. The supporters are targeting “parasitic” players, who they say must step up or else just leave.