Explanation provided for Lionel Messi's absence from PSG's squad to face Monaco

An explanation for the absence of Lionel Messi from Paris Saint-Germain's travelling squad to take on AS Monaco has been provided on Saturday.

Amid the club's ongoing pursuit of yet another Ligue 1 title, PSG will of course return to action tomorrow afternoon, in a showdown with the aforementioned Monaco at the The Stade Louis II.

In turn, ahead of his side's trip down south, Mauricio Pochettino's travelling panel of players was, a short time ago, made official.

As alluded to above, though, one altogether noteworthy absence from the party came in the form of none other than Lionel Messi:

An explanation for as much has therefore since been provided, with PSG's 7-time Ballon d'Or winner understood to have come down with a bout of illness:

'Always open'

Interestingly, news of Messi's impending absence on Sunday comes after none other than Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez was drawn on the woes of his one-time teammate earlier today.

Amid the Argentine's ongoing struggles to rediscover his best form in the French capital - culminating in the home support in attendance at PSG's meeting with Bordeaux last weekend taking aim at Messi courtesy of a series of boos and jeers - the possibility of the Blaugrana icon sealing a return to the Camp Nou in the near future was put to Xavi by the expectant media.

And Barca's boss, for one, appears very much open to such a prospect, having confirmed that 'the doors will always be open' for Messi at the club:

Read more:

AS Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain betting tips: Ligue 1 preview, predictions & odds

Real Madrid vs Barcelona betting tips: La Liga preview, predictions and odds