Lionel Messi has broken his silence over a recent controversy that has seen him suspended by PSG, with uncertainty surrounding his future at the club. The 35-year-old took an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia on a day in which the rest of the squad were in training following the defeat to Lorient.
Messi's trip comes as he takes up the role of a tourism ambassador for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the announcement made last May. The forward signed a £25million-a-year deal to promote the country, with reports claiming that an offer has been made to play in the domestic league next season once his current contract ends.
With his time at PSG seemingly coming towards a conclusion, it wouldn't be out of the question for him to make a move there. Cristiano Ronaldo did similar upon leaving Manchester United, having joined Al-Nassr, though he hasn't quite had the impact expected so far.
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While he is still at PSG though, Messi has released a statement on the trip and why he took the absence, saying in an Instagram video: "I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always happened. I had this trip organised and I couldn't cancel it. I had already cancelled it before. I apologise to my teammates and I'm waiting for what the club wants to do with me.”
While a switch to Saudi Arabia has been touted, so too has the possibility of a return to Barcelona in the summer. However, Chelsea have been instructed to make a move too, with the potential to add a superstar player to their ranks ahead of the new Premier League season.
That opportunity could be strengthened further with the potential arrival of Mauricio Pochettino as head coach, though it remains to be seen if that is a plausible possibility.
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