Messi returns to training with PSG

Lionel Messi returned to training with Paris Saint-Germain yesterday six days after Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain was suspended for going on an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. “Leo Messi returns to training Monday morning,” tweeted the club along with a photo of the 35-year-old in action.
His return makes it likely he will feature in PSG’s home match with relegation-threatened Ajaccio next Saturday. PSG hold the whip hand in defending their Ligue 1 title, a six point lead over Lens with four matches remaining. He was suspended by the Qatar-owned club after failing to turn up for training last Monday.
Instead, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner travelled to Saudi Arabia without PSG’s permission to fulfil commitments as part of a contract with the country’s tourist office. Messi subsequently apologised in a video.
The affair has made it increasingly unlikely that Messi will remain at PSG beyond this season, when his two-year contract with the club expires.
On Sunday night, PSG got their bid for a record 11th French league title back on track by beating Troyes 3-1 . After PSG lost to Lorient at home the previous weekend, angry fans protested outside the club’s headquarters and at the home of injured Brazilian star Neymar.
Kylian Mbappe scored first with a close-range header after seven minutes, drawing level with Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette on 24 league goals this season. Vitinha’s right-footed finish on 58 minutes seemed to have put PSG on the way to victory but they lowered their guard and allowed Xavier Chavalerin to pull a goal back for Troyes when he headed past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
PSG poured forward looking for a third goal and after Mbappe’s poked finish from Renato Sanches was saved, Fabian Ruiz curled in the rebound to make the three points safe.
Former Arsenal forward Lacazette had a remarkable day, scoring four goals including a penalty with the last kick of the match as Lyon fought back from three goals down to beat Montpellier 5-4. Earlier, fourth-placed Monaco pulled five points clear of Lille with a 2-1 win at Angers. Nantes meanwhile continued their slide towards Ligue 2 as they lost 2-0 at home to relegation rivals Strasbourg.
They remain 17th in the 20-team league, but this season four clubs go down as Ligue 1 will shrink to 18 clubs next season. After starting the day trailing Strasbourg only on goal difference, Nantes are two points behind 16th-placed Auxerre.