Lionel Messi Apologizes For Missing PSG Training

Lionel Messi has issued an apology after missing Paris Saint-Germain training this week to fly to Saudi Arabia. Messi is expected to leave PSG in June.

Lionel Messi has issued an apology after missing Paris Saint-Germain training this week.

Messi and his PSG teammates were all supposed to report to the club's training center on Monday but Messi had flown to Saudi Arabia with his family.

The 35-year-old is an ambassador for the Saudi tourism board and is said to earn around $30 million per year from the role.

Messi had been expecting that the team would have been given a day off from training on Monday, which regularly happens after they have won a match.

However, PSG lost 3-1 at home to Lorient on Sunday, so no such leave was granted.

As punishment for his unauthorized absence, Messi was suspended for two weeks and was also hit with a fine.

Messi posted a video on his Instagram Story on Friday. Speaking in Spanish, he said: "First of all, I apologize to my teammates, to the club."

Lionel Messi pictured issuing an apology via Instagram after skipping PSG training to fly to Saudi Arabia :: Instagram/@leomessi

He added: "Honestly, I thought we were going to have a day off after the game, as had been happening in previous weeks.

"I had this trip to Arabia organized and I couldn't cancel it. I had already canceled it before.

"I repeat again and apologize for what I did. Here I am, waiting for what the club decides."

Messi is expected to leave PSG when his contract expires at the end of June.

It is currently unclear where he will go, but Barcelona, Miami and Saudi Arabia are all possible options.