Hold on to your hats, folks, because it looks like we’ve reached the beginning of the end for Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain. That’s right, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been handed a two-week suspension by the club, which means he won’t be able to set foot in their facilities or play any matches. The suspension comes after Messi decided to travel to Saudi Arabia without approval, on a day when PSG were supposed to be training. As you can imagine, PSG were not too pleased about this, and they’ve decided to make an example of Messi. The question is, can their relationship ever recover from this?

Let’s just say, Messi’s trip to Saudi Arabia wasn’t exactly a surprise. The guy is an ambassador for the country, promoting tourism and all that jazz. The problem is, PSG were supposed to be training on the same day. Oops! It’s like when you tell your boss you’re sick, but then post a picture on Instagram of yourself drinking margaritas on the beach. We’ve all been there, right?

Anyway, L’Equipe first reported on this whole mess. Apparently, Messi had postponed the trip twice before and his plan had been accepted when the players were supposed to have two days off this week. However, following their defeat to Lorient, the plan was changed, and Messi was apparently unable to postpone the trip any further. Bad timing, Leo. Bad timing.

So, what was PSG’s response to all of this? A two-week suspension, complete with pay docking. Ouch. The club felt that Messi’s decision to travel without approval was disrespectful to the institution, and they wanted to make it clear that nobody is above the club. Fair enough, I guess. But, let’s be real, it’s not like PSG have been the best team lately. They’ve lost nine games this year already! That’s more than double the total for the whole of 2022. I mean, they need all the help they can get, right?

But, I suppose PSG is trying to send a message here. They want to emphasize their club discipline and tolerance, and show that turning up for someone else’s promotional event on a workday is not acceptable. At the end of the day, it’s the right decision. Messi’s absence would’ve condoned PSG’s disinterested culture, and would’ve disrupted an already tense dressing room. Head coach Christophe Galtier has enough on his plate already, thank you very much.

Let’s be real, though, PSG’s problems run deeper than just one player. The dressing room holds way too much power, and it seems like even the best managers struggle to control it. And, when it comes to key players, it’s like the club has a “boys will be boys” mentality. That’s no way to run a football team, people.

Now, we know what you’re thinking. What about Kylian Mbappe? Would he have been treated the same way as Messi? The answer is yes, of course! Well…maybe. Look, Mbappe is a totemic figure at PSG, and he’s the club’s centerpiece. He’s the one PSG want to build their team around, and he’s got a lot of influence. But, at the end of the day, no player is bigger than the club. That’s just how it be.

At the very least, this whole debacle changes the landscape. It sets a precedent, and it marks the end of the Messi project at PSG. Remember when they signed him in the summer of 2021 and everyone lost their minds? Yeah, that feels like a lifetime ago. Messi doesn’t seem to be too popular with PSG fans, either. They don’t like the uncertainty around his future, and they feel like he hasn’t shown the same investment and commitment he did at Barcelona. After this week, it’s hard to see how that relationship can be repaired.

So, what does this mean for PSG? Well, it’s not all bad news. Sure, they’re losing a sensational player, but they’ve been compromising their system to accommodate him. And, longer term, having one fewer star player could be a good thing. It’ll allow for more balance, and will avoid scenarios where two players refuse to do any defensive work, even when their team is down to 10 men. Ahem, we won’t name any names.

On the flip side, though, Messi’s form has been crucial for PSG this season. He’s been a match-winner, and without him, their chances of winning the title aren’t looking too hot. And, let’s be honest, PSG has a bigger problem than just a lack of star players. They need a culture change, and they need it fast.

At the end of the day, though, we have to give credit where credit is due. PSG made the right decision in suspending Messi. Nobody is above the club, and that’s how it should be. Will PSG regret losing Messi? Maybe. But, hopefully, this whole debacle will be a wake-up call for the club. They need to start making changes if they want to see any real success.

Serious News: nytimes