Lionel Messi was initially set to be ruled out from Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 home fixture against AC Ajaccio. The Argentine forward was issued a two-week club-imposed suspension for taking an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia following PSG’s Ligue 1 home fixture against Lorient.
PSG decided to lift Messi’s suspension after he took to Instagram to issue an apology for taking the trip to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission. The Argentine forward returned to the Camp des Loges on Monday to take part in an individual training session, and he went on to feature in each of the team’s collective training sessions ahead of its home matchup against AC Ajaccio.
During a pre-match press conference on Friday, PSG manager Christophe Galtier confirmed that Messi will be penciled in the team’s starting 11 for Ligue 1 matchday 35. Galtier also took some time to share the Argentine forward’s mindset ahead of the fixture.
“On the other hand, we welcomed the return of Leo, who trained throughout the week with great desire and determination, with a desire to play for the team,” Galtier said. “… I found him very serene.
“In the exchanges, I felt he was very motivated to play, very determined to win another title.”
Messi recorded four goal contributions in his last four appearances in Ligue 1.
PSG currently holds a six-point lead above second-place side RC Lens atop the Ligue 1 standings.
