With Lionel Messi set to miss two games due to his Paris Saint-Germain suspension, the Argentine superstar is now believed to have made up his mind about returning for the remainder of the season.
According to reports in France, tensions remain high at PSG, with conflict at the club both internally and externally.
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Angry supporters of the team staged two protests on Wednesday, one at the team's headquarters against Messi and the board, and another outside Neymar's house, with fans demanding that the Brazilian leaves the club.
Behind the scenes, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's relationship with the board is thought to have soured following the decision to suspend him for making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia following last Sunday's defeat to Lorient.
Although he was due to be in training on Monday, the 35-year-old reportedly felt obliged to be in Riyadh due to his ambassadorial role for the country's tourism sector.
In addition to forfeiting a two-week salary as part of his punishment, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is also prohibited from training with the team and will miss PSG's games against Troyes and Ajaccio.
As such, the former FC Barcelona star is only expected to be available for the last three games of the season against Auxerre, Strasbourg, and Clermont Foot.
However, according to French newspaper L'Equipe, Messi doesn't imagine himself returning to the Parc des Princes or featuring in the team's last three matches of the campaign.
It is reported that he does not see himself going back to the club after everything that has happened, including the recent chants made against him by the fans during games.
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The reports also indicates that there are no more contract negotiations between PSG and the forward, with his exit as a free agent all but confirmed.
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