Conflicting reports over Lionel Messi withdrawal from PSG training

Following yesterday’s initial reports that Lionel Messi had left Paris Saint-Germain’s training session early on Tuesday, there have been conflicting reports as to the true nature of the Argentine’s absence. 

After a rumour on Twitter indicated that the World Cup winner had left over a disagreement with Christophe Galtier, sources contacted by Get French Football News indicated that Messi had actually withdrawn after feeling some discomfort in his adductor muscle.

This version of events has been confirmed by L’Équipe, who add that the injury meant the former Barcelona man was out of action for Wednesday and Thursday’s sessions, but returned to full training on Friday ahead of Sunday’s match at the Parc des Princes against Rennes.

However, RMC Sport explain that although the club assert that the reason for Tuesday’s shortened session was an adductor issue, several sources indicate that there was indeed a disagreement over a training drill set out by Galtier, involving defensive work, an aspect which supposedly irritated the 35-year-old. 

Earlier on Friday, Galtier had confirmed that extension talks were underway for the Argentine to potentially stay in Paris past this summer, after an improved campaign which has seen him score 13 and assist another 13 in the league so far.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin