Lionel Messi makes unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia amid uncertain PSG future
By Sean Walsh
Lionel Messi made a trip to Saudi Arabia at the start of this week specifically against the wishes of Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentine's contract at Parc des Princes is up at the end of the season and he has been targeted by clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
90min understands that while he indeed is wanted by Saudi Arabian sides, former club Barcelona are looking at ways to re-sign Messi, while PSG have accepted that he will leave this summer.
L'Equipe report that fuel has been added to that Saudi Arabian fire as Messi skipped a training session to visit Riyadh.
PSG's first team would have been granted two days off - Monday and Tuesday this week - in the event that they beat Lorient on Sunday, but they instead fell to an embarrassing 3-1 loss at home, with their day off on Monday revoked.
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But as part of a contract with the Saudi Arabian tourist office, Messi was due in the country at the beginning of this week having already had to twice cancel earlier in the season.
Messi had asked head coach Christophe Galtier and sporting advisor Luis Campos to amend the training schedule to allow this visit to the Middle East, but they were not able to come to an agreement.
The rest of the PSG first team are said to have been shocked by Messi's actions.
L'Equipe approached PSG for comment but did not confirm or deny that Messi did not have permission to make the visit.
Lionel Messi's PSG future
Souces have told 90min that PSG have come to terms with Messi moving on beyond the end of his current contract, which runs out at the end of the season.
In addition to interest from Saudi Arabia - which is currently where career rival Cristiano Ronaldo is plying his trade with Al Nassr - Inter Miami have also been keeping tabs on Messi.
But Barcelona are busy trying to scrape together funds to bring Messi back to Camp Nou, leaving 'no stone unturned' in their dogged pursuit.
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