Topline
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi apologized to his club and teammates in a video message Friday, days after the world’s second-highest-paid athlete was suspended for an unauthorized promotional visit to Saudi Arabia and amid reports he’s leaving the French club—though whether he returns to Barcelona or plays in Saudi Arabia remains unclear.
Lionel Messi apologized to his teammates in a video Friday, after he was suspended by Paris Saint … [+]
Key Facts
In a video posted on Instagram, Messi said he believed he had an off-day after PSG’s 3-1 loss Sunday to Lorient, saying he couldn’t cancel his trip to Saudi Arabia, which he said he planned well in advance, according to a translation of the video.
Messi was suspended two weeks without pay on Tuesday after he missed a team practice during his trip, sidelining the 2022 World Cup champion for two upcoming matches this weekend, though he’s set to return in time for the club’s last three matches of the season.
Messi is reportedly planning to reject a club option for a third year in Paris at the end of the season, and reportedly received a whopping $400 million contract with the Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-based club Al-Hilal, which would easily make him the world’s highest-paid athlete, blowing longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s reported $75 million annual contract to play with Saudi club Al-Nassr out of the water.
But the 35-year-old star’s future after this season remains uncertain, as speculation grows he could rejoin FC Barcelona, where he played from 2004 to 2021, or join a list of aging soccer stars to join the MLS, with rumors Messi is weighing an offer from David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
Big Number
$130 million. That’s how much Messi makes per year, only putting him behind Ronaldo on Forbes’ list of highest paid athletes in the world. His yearly earnings include $65 million on the field and another $65 million from endorsement deals off the field, including a $20 million annual advertisement deal with blockchain company Socios.
Key Background
Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, 10-time La Liga champion with Barcelona and one-time Ligue 1 champion with PSG, is regarded as one of the best soccer players of all time, and is the leading scorer. After winning his first World Cup with Argentina in December, however, PSG fans have increasingly criticized his performance with the club, with fans protesting outside club offices, calling for Messi’s departure.
Further Reading
Lionel Messi Leaving Paris Saint-Germain Amid Speculation He Could Join Saudi Club (Forbes)
Messi Reportedly Gets Massive Saudi Al-Hilal Offer—Which Could Make Him World’s Top-Paid Athlete (Forbes)
Lionel Messi Suspended 2 Weeks For Visiting Saudi Arabia Without Team’s Permission (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/05/05/messi-apologizes-for-suspension-but-wont-say-if-hell-play-for-barcelona-or-take-saudi-offer/