PSG make surprising decision on Lionel Messi's suspension
By Sean Walsh
Paris Saint-Germain will welcome Lionel Messi back to training on Tuesday after agreeing to cut short his initial two-week suspension.
The French champions have been plunged further into crisis in recent weeks, with fans protesting against the club's QSI owners outside Parc des Princes and the house of star forward Neymar.
Following a humiliating 3-1 loss at home to Lorient, PSG cancelled a planned day off for the first-team. Messi, however, had already made plans to travel to Saudi Arabia due to a contract with the country's tourist board.
After failing to report to training, Messi was suspended by PSG for two weeks, ruling him out of their win at Troyes on Sunday and this weekend's meeting with Ajaccio.
However, the Argentine issued a public apology last week, explaining he could not cancel his trip to the Middle East as he had done so twice previously.
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"I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always. I had this trip organised and I couldn't cancel it. I had already canceled it before," Messi said in a video on Instagram.
"I apologise to my teammates and I'm waiting for what the club wants to do with me."
ESPN now report that due to this public display of humility, PSG have decided to end Messi's exile from the first-team and he will return to training.
PSG have opened up a six-point gap at the top of Ligue 1 with four games to play after they beat Troyes, while Lens leapfrogged Marseille into second place with a crucial win.
Lionel Messi's PSG future
90min understands PSG have accepted that Messi will leave the club on a free transfer upon the expiration of his current contract this summer.
They had hoped to agree terms over a new deal but it has become apparent in recent months that Messi would leave amid interest from former club Barcelona and Saudi Pro League sides.
Sources have told 90min that Messi is focused on returning to Barça this summer, with the soon-to-be-crowned Spanish champions working hard to make sure such a move is financially viable.
LISTEN NOW
On this edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey & Toby Cudworth discuss the possibility of Neymar joining Newcastle, Jude Bellingham's decision on his future and Lionel Messi leaving PSG.
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!