Lionel Messi has returned to training with Paris St Germain following his suspension over an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.
The Ligue 1 club confirmed on their official Twitter account on Monday morning that the 35-year-old Argentina international was back among the fold after he was fined and suspended for undertaking a promotional visit to the Middle East country without permission.
The post, which was accompanied by a photograph of the World Cup winner in training kit, said simply: “Leo Messi back in training this Monday morning.”
Messi, who is an ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority, was pictured in Riyadh the day after his side had suffered a surprise defeat to Lorient.
He later revealed in a video posted on his official Instagram account that he had to make the trip for contractual reasons, having previously cancelled it, and had assumed he had a day off.
Messi said: “I wanted to make this video due to everything that is happening.
“First of all, I want to say sorry to my team-mates and to the club. I honestly thought that we were going to be free after the game, as had been the case in previous weeks.
“I had organised this trip to Saudi Arabia, which had been cancelled previously and this time I couldn’t. I apologise again and I’m here for whatever the club decide. All the best.”
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner joined PSG from Barcelona in August 2021 after the Catalan club ran into severe financial difficulties and, although a return has been mooted, those difficulties make that unlikely.
In recent days, he has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League amid reports he could earn up to £320million a year.
Strasbourg appoint Rosenior as new head coach after Vieira exit
Strasbourg have appointed former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior as their new head coach following the departure of Patrick Vieira.
Vieira left the club by mutual consent last week after overseeing a 13th-place Ligue 1 finish in his only season in charge.
Strasbourg, who are owned by the BlueCo consortium led by Todd Boehly, formed as the investment vehicle for the takeover of Chelsea in 2022, have now turned to Rosenior.
Rosenior was surprisingly sacked by Hull in May after the Tigers missed out on a Championship play-off place by just three points, finishing seventh.
Rosenior, who won seven caps for England's under-21s during his playing career, previously served as Brighton and Hove Albion's assistant manager before enjoying a three-month spell as Derby County's interim manager in 2022.
A statement from Strasbourg president Marc Keller and the board of directors read: "We are pleased to welcome Liam, a young coach known for his ability to make his teams play well and develop his players.
"His arrival will allow Racing to continue to grow. We welcome him to Alsace."
Between Rosenior's arrival in November 2022 and his departure in May, Hull won 108 points from 76 Championship games, a tally only bettered by Middlesbrough and West Brom (124 each).
The Tigers also boasted the division's sixth-best attack in that time, netting 98 goals, and its fourth-best defence among ever-present teams with 86 conceded.
Meunier completes return to French football with Lille
Thomas Meunier has completed a return to French football, signing for Lille after just five months with Trabzonspor.
Meunier, who won the Ligue 1 title three times with Paris Saint-Germain during his four years at the Parc des Princes, has signed a two-year contract with Les Dogues.
The 32-year-old featured eight times for Borussia Dortmund this season after missing the start of the campaign through injury, before completing a move to Turkey in February.
Meunier will provide experience for Bruno Genesio's side, who will compete in the Champions League this season following their fourth place finish in Ligue 1.
"Lille was the perfect choice from a sporting and family point of view. With its proximity to Belgium, it's like being at home," Meunier said in a statement.
"My experience in the various European Cups will enable me to coach the youngest members of the dressing room and ensure that they're 100% focused on the club's sporting success."
Meunier becomes the French side's third addition this transfer window following the long-term arrivals of Ethan Mbappe and Ngal'ayel Mukau.
Having allowed defender Leny Yoro to complete a reported £59.8million deal with Manchester United, Lille are expected to dive into the transfer market for further additions to their squad.
Lyon sign Euro 2024 Golden Boot winner Mikautadze
Georges Mikautadze, who earned a share of the Golden Boot at Euro 2024, has returned to hometown club Lyon less than three weeks after being bought by Metz.
Mikautadze netted three times as Georgia reached the last 16 on their major tournament debut in Germany, only to lose 4-1 to eventual champions Spain.
That earned him a share of the Golden Boot alongside five other players; Cody Gakpo, Harry Kane, Dani Olmo, Jamal Musiala and Ivan Schranz.
He spent the second half of 2023-24 on loan at Metz from Ajax, scoring 13 times in 20 appearances but failing to prevent them from being relegated from Ligue 1.
Metz lost a relegation play-off to Saint-Etienne but still exercised a clause to sign Mikautadze permanently earlier this month.
However, it was still believed he could be sold on for a profit, and Lyon have now sealed a deal worth a reported €18.5million.
Mikautadze has signed a four-year deal with the club, whose youth teams he represented between 2008 and 2015, having been born in the city to Georgian parents.
"He was courted all over France and Europe, but Georges Mikautadze has always given his priority to Olympique Lyonnais," a club statement said.
"His attachment to the club and his great determination will be invaluable assets for the many challenges ahead."
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