Lionel Messi, a football superstar, has been given a two-week suspension by Paris Saint-Germain for traveling to Saudi Arabia without permission.
It's interesting to note that Messi had scheduled the trip as part of one of his commercial obligations as a tourism ambassador.
The Paris Saint-Germain players were supposed to get the day off on Monday after losing to Lorient, but the coach called them in for training instead. Lionel Messi was unable to make it back in time for practice because he had already scheduled a trip to Saudi Arabia for one of his business obligations.
Messi was noticeably absent from the PSG squad when they were spotted on Monday at their Camp des Loges training facility.
The 35-year-old was seen on Monday in Riyadh; according to the French publication L'Equipe, he has been penalized two weeks' worth of pay and won't be participating in team training during that time.
The club has started disciplinary action because neither Galtier nor sporting adviser Luis Campos approved of the trip.
The Argentina captain will therefore be absent from PSG's upcoming matches against Troyes on Sunday and Ajaccio on May 13.
PSG has extended an offer to Messi for a new deal with the same financial terms. But despite Barcelona pushing for his return, he has not yet committed his future to the French club.