Lionel Messi has reportedly been punished for two weeks by Paris Saint-Germain for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia on Monday, May 1.
The Argentina World Cup winner had planned the trip as part of his commercial obligations as an ambassador for tourism in the country.
PSG players were meant to be off on Monday, but after their 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday, manager Christophe Galtier summoned the team for training instead.
Messi was already in transit to Saudi Arabia and unable to turn back.
When PSG players were photographed at their Camp des Loges training ground on Monday, Messi was a notable absentee.
The 35-year-old was pictured in Riyadh on Monday, with French outlet L’Equipe reporting he has been docked two weeks wages and will not train with the team during that time.
Because the trip was not approved by Galtier or sporting advisor Lus Campos, the club has initiated disciplinary proceedings.
As a result, Argentina’s captain will miss the next two PSG matches, against Troyes on Sunday and Ajaccio on Saturday, May 13.
PSG has offered Messi a new deal with the same financial incentives. However, he has yet to commit his future to the French club, with Barcelona urging him to return to Spain.