Messi's PSG punishment ends after one week as he returns to training

After the controversy surrounding Lionel Messi's trip to Saudi Arabia just a week ago, Monday saw the Argentine return to training with Paris Saint-Germain. 

The French club punished Messi with a two-week ban for not attending training last Monday, something that has finally been reduced to just one week. The player did not attend the training session planned by Galtier just one day in advance, after attending a commercial event in Saudi, with prior permission from the club.

⚽️🔛 Leo Messi de retour à l'entraînement ce lundi matin. pic.twitter.com/VkGGN3G8OI

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) 8 de mayo de 2023

The Argentine was not involved in the game against Troyes this past weekend and everyone expected him to return in the coming week, although the video of his apology on Friday already hinted at a possible reconciliation. 

"I wanted to make this video in the face of everything that is happening," he posted on social media. "First of all, I apologise to my teammates and to the club. I honestly thought we were going to be free after the game, as had been happening in previous weeks.

"I had organised this trip to Saudi Arabia, which I had previously cancelled, and this time I couldn't."

It seems that despite the great commotion that the situation generated, everything has come to an end and Galtier can now count on Messi again to prepare for the end of the season. He will be available for next Saturday's match between PSG and Ajaccio at the Parc des Princes, which could signal an almost definitive step towards the Ligue 1 title.