Lionel Messi suspended by Paris St-Germain over unsanctioned Saudi Arabia trip

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris St-Germain for two weeks after travelling to Saudi Arabia this week without the club's permission.

The Argentine was pictured in the country, for which he is an ambassador, alongside his wife and children.

Speculation had swirled on Tuesday regarding PSG's displeasure with Messi for making the trip despite the side losing to Lorient at home on the weekend.

According to French publication L'Equipe and broadcaster RMC, PSG have dished out a harsh punishment to the Argentine for travelling without the permission of the club hierarchy.

It is claimed that Lionel Messi will not appear for the club for two weeks after skipping training to make the trip to the country.

Should the suspension be confirmed, Lionel Messi will miss league fixtures against Troyes and Ajaccio.  

The suspension comes amid mounting speculation and uncertainty surrounding Messi's future with the club, despite reports emerging at the end of the World Cup that he would sign a new deal to remain in Paris beyond this summer.

It is now believed Inter Miami or Barcelona represent his likeliest options, though the trip to Saudi Arabia will only serve pour petrol on the flames of speculation he could join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East.

He played the full 90 minutes of the French giants' dismal 3-1 defeat to Lorient on Sunday which leaves them just five points clear of Marseille at the top of the table.

The squad, management and supporters have become increasingly fractured in the weeks and months following their Champions League exit to Bayern Munich, with the trip to Saudi Arabia by no means Messi's first misdemeanour in that time in the club's eyes.

According to L'Equipe, after Sunday's defeat to Lorient, the club announced players would be in for training on Monday, and have a day off on Tuesday.