Report: Messi ditches training for Saudi trip

Lionel Messi reportedly skipped training without permission for a trip to Saudi Arabia as part of his ambassadorial partnership with the country. 

The 35-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star's continuation at the club is under major doubt as his contract expires at the end of the season, with him stalling on a renewal.

And although they are at the top of Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain have been in abysmal form recently, and his reported trip follows a 3-1 defeat at home to Lorient, their fourth in their last eight games.  

Lionel Messi took a trip to Saudi Arabia on Monday as part of his tourism ambassadorial deal, with Saudi Arabia's minister of tourism posting pictures of him and his family in the country on his social media.

However, according to L'Equipe, due to the defeat to Lorient, Monday, which was scheduled to be a day off for the players, was announced as a training day.

The Daily Mail reports that PSG manager Christophe Galtier initially announced Monday and Tuesday as days off should they manage to beat Les Merlus, but following the defeat, the players were told to report to Camp des Loges for training yesterday. 

The report goes on to claim that although Messi asked for permission to make the trip, his request was not granted by neither Galtier nor sporting director Lucas Campos. 

However, the trip is said to have been planned before the defeat and could not be rescheduled, leading the Argentine to go over Galtier and Ocampos' heads to get permission from the club's Qatari board, who signed off on his request, according to reports.