Lionel Messi has reportedly been handed a two-week suspension by Paris Saint-Germain for taking an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia, according to L’Equipe.
Messi will reportedly not be able to play or train with PSG during his suspension, and thus, he will be unavailable to feature for the team in its upcoming Ligue 1 fixtures against Troyes and AC Ajaccio.
With Messi’s reported suspension, his chances of reaching a historic feat have taken quite a blow.
Overall, Messi has managed to turn it around as a goal-scorer in Ligue 1 play this season. The Argentine forward has scored 15 goals in 28 such matches played in the ongoing campaign. He tallied a mere six goals in France’s top flight last season.
Messi has recorded 13 seasons with at least 20 league goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues. He scored at least 20 goals in each of his final 13 seasons in La Liga while with Barcelona.
If Messi can score at least five goals over the remainder of this year’s Ligue 1 season, he will then break a tie with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most seasons ever with at least 20 league goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues. Ronaldo notched 20-plus league goals in 13 different seasons during his time in Europe’s top five leagues, including nine with Real Madrid.
Messi will reportedly be available to feature in just three out of PSG’s remaining five matches in the season, so he would need to score five goals in these contests to once again reach the 20-goal mark in league play in his career.
