Conflict Between Messi & PSG?
09 November, 2021
It seems tensions between Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain could be rising over the six-time Ballon d'Or winner's recent call-up to the Argentina national team despite being injured.
When the 34-year-old signed for the French giants in August, it was claimed that he had a clause inserted into his two-year contract that allowed him to prioritise international football over PSG ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The stipulation appears to have worked in Messi's favour ahead of Argentina's World Cup qualifiers this month, with the ex-Barcelona club captain journeying back to his homeland despite missing PSG's past two matches through injury.
It is likely that the forward will undergo a series of fitness tests on international duty before a final decision is made on his fitness, but PSG sporting director Leonardo wants there to be a rule that prevents a player from travelling when injured in the first place.
"We do not agree to let a player go by selection who, for us, is not in physical condition or who is in the rehabilitation phase," he told Le Parisien.
"It is not logical, and these types of situations deserve a real agreement with FIFA."
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, who has also missed games through injury in recent weeks, was believed to have accompanied Messi on a 13-hour flight to Argentina on Sunday evening.
Messi has missed seven Ligue 1 games this season already, and is yet to score in the competition in four appearances, while he has been unavailable for just one UEFA Champions League match since joining PSG.
In Europe, the 2021 Copa America winner has found the back of the net three times in as many games
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za