PSG open to Lionel Messi staying despite suspension

Paris Saint-Germain have left the door open for Lionel Messi to continue with the club next season, despite him currently serving a suspension.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is a free agent this summer but it is unclear where he will play his football next season.

Messi was suspended by the French club this week for jetting off for an unsanctioned commercial trip to Saudi Arabia, when he was scheduled to attend training on Monday with the rest of the squad.

It appeared that the saga would spell the end of Messi’s time in Paris but according to The Times, PSG’s Qatari owners want to keep hold of the 35-year-old.

Messi surprised PSG chiefs on Friday with a public apology on social media.

“I wanted to make this video after everything that is happening,” said Messi on his Instagram account. “First of all, I apologise to my team-mates, to the club. Honestly, I thought we were going to have a day off after the game, as had been happening in previous weeks.

“I had this trip to Arabia organised and I couldn’t cancel it. I had already cancelled it before. I repeat again and apologise for what I did. Here I am, waiting for what the club decides.”

PSG and Messi had verbally agreed an extension after the World Cup but a disastrous second-half of the season for PSG coupled with disgruntlement from the club’s supporters has changed the mood around the Parc des Princes.

Messi wants to continue at a Champions League level club and knows that PSG have offered the best financial package.

The report claims PSG do not wish to discuss the possible extension with Messi until after Sunday’s clash with Troyes.

PSG face a must-win game against the Ligue 1 strugglers as they aim to stretch their lead over second-placed Lens to six points.

Barcelona remain interested in bringing Messi back to the Nou Camp but financial restrictions make a deal for the Argentine difficult to pull off.

MLS side Inter Miami have never hidden their hopes of luring Messi to South Florida while the Saudi Pro League are keen to bring Messi to the Middle East to go head to head with Cristiano Ronaldo one final time.