Lionel Messi poses in newly-released photos from the unauthorised Saudi Arabia holiday
No regrets, Lionel? Messi and his wife Antonella pose in newly released photos from the unauthorized holiday in Saudi Arabia that earned him a two-week ban from his club PSG, as part of a £25 million-a-year ambassadorship deal
- Lionel Messi has been suspended for two weeks by Paris Saint-Germain
- The Argentinian went on an unapproved trip to the country early this week
- The Saudi Tourism Authority has released new photos of the star during the visit
New photos have been released of Lionel Messi and his family from their holiday in Saudi Arabia, with the unauthorized travel leading to the star being suspended for two weeks by Paris Saint-Germain.
The World Cup winner had pre-arranged the visit for one of his commercial commitments as a tourism ambassador there.
PSG players were supposed to have Monday off, but after their 3-1 defeat to Lorient on Sunday, manager Christophe Galtier called the side for training.
However, Messi was already on his way to Saudi Arabia and could not go back.
The Saudi Tourism Authority has released new photos of Messi and his family, hours after news that he will be sanctioned by Ligue 1 leaders.
New photos have been released of Lionel Messi and his family during their visit to Saudi Arabia
Messi made his second official visit as part of his £25 million-a-year ambassadorship deal
The Saudi Tourism Authority has released photos of Messi and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo
Messi, his wife Antonella Roccuzzo and their sons Mateo and Ciro were photographed touring the city of Diriyah, the original home of the Saudi royal family.
The family was also taken to the town of At-Turaif, on the outskirts of the capital Riyadh, with pictures of the family in the Arabian Horse Museum.
Messi was also seen posing with a white falcon resting on his arm.
The Saudi Tourism Authority added that the Messi family had visited the AlUla nature reserve.
On the second day of the trip, the family visited Riyadh’s entertainment and shopping districts.
Messi signed a lucrative £25 million a year deal with Saudi Arabia to promote the kingdom as a tourism ambassador in May last year.
The holiday marked his second trip in the role, having previously visited Jeddah shortly after the deal was agreed.
Messi’s two-week suspension for unauthorized trip sees him miss PSG’s next two games Troyes this Sunday and against Ajaccio on Saturday 13 May.
Messi was photographed with his family at the Arabian Horse Museum in the town of At-Turaif
Messi and his family visited Riyadh’s entertainment and shopping districts during their visit
The unauthorized travel led to PSG suspending the World Cup winner for two weeks
The 35-year-old has been offered a new contract by PSG on the same financial terms, but doubts remain on his side about the sporting project.
French newspaper from L’Equipe has reported that there is doubt on the part of PSG whether their relationship with the Argentine will last beyond the summer.
They add that PSG’s decision to suspend Messi has caused an “explosion” that could have a “planetary impact”.
Those around Messi say the trip had previously been postponed twice and it was difficult to do it a third time at short notice.
Barcelona want him to return amid interest from the Middle East and MLS clubs. However, he has yet to open concrete negotiations with another club.