Messi Makes Unsanctioned Trip to Saudi Arabia, Angers PSG Coach and Director

• Lionel Messi has incurred the wrath of Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier and Sporting Director Luis Campos
• The Argentine superstar travelled to Saudi Arabia without the approval of the two senior PSG officials
• Messi is an ambassador for Saudi Arabia, which is attempting to bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia has put the Argentine superstar’s relationship with Paris Saint-Germain’s coach Christophe Galtier and Sporting director Luis Campos in murky waters.

The 35-year-old forward had initially requested the permission of the two PSG senior officials to travel to Saudi Arabia, whom he serves as an ambassador for their 2030 FIFA World Cup bid.

According to PSG Talk, Messi went above the heads of Campos and Galtier to the club’s management, who agreed and granted permission for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to go to Riyadh.

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Messi's move has reportedly enraged the club's supporters, who are frustrated with PSG because players can do whatever they want without regard for the institution. 

Messi is set to become a free agent in the summer when his current PSG contract expires, and Saudi top team, Al Hilal, are one of the teams interested in signing the Argentine.

UEFA declares Messi’s UCL titles

Meanwhile, Daily Post reports that UEFA has declared that Lionel Messi has won the Champions League only three times in his career.

Messi has been part of the Barcelona team since 2004 and played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s Champions League victories in 2009, 2011, and 2015 but not in their 2006 success.

UEFA declared that the Argentina international had won only three titles as he was not part of Barcelona’s squad in the 2006 final.

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Messi’s return to Barcelona in jeopardy

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Barcelona’s big dream of reuniting with Lionel Messi this summer has suffered an enormous setback following the club’s failure to convince La Liga about its viability plan.

The Catalan club is still battling with its financial crisis but had plans of bringing back their record goal-scorer, who left to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

La Liga believes it will be challenging for Barcelona to meet the demands and targets they set in their viability plan to cut costs, as they try by all means to sign Messi.