Ace star footballer and six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi, has tested positive for Covid-19, according to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
This comes just days after the superstar was seen singing and dancing at a concert in Argentina. A video which went viral on social media showed Messi and his wife having fun at a concert in Rosario, Sante Fe. According to reports, the the 34-year-old footballer, made the most of the French football’s winter break with his wife, Antonela. He was filmed enjoying himself at a concert in his homeland.
Now, the French giants have confirmed that he has contracted the virus and is self-isolating. It is not known whether Messi caught the virus at the concert however, several people have suggested it to be the main place he could have contacted it since he was not in a nose mask.
That notwithstanding three of Messi’s team-mates have also tested positive, including Sergio Rico, Juan Bernat and Nathan Bitumazala.
The Paris Saint-Germain star, Messi last played in their 1-1 draw with FC Lorient on December 22 before Ligue 1 broke up for the festive period.
The club’s next game is against Vannes in the French Cup on Monday, before they take on Lyon in the league on January 9.
Speaking in a press conference on Sunday, January 2, 2022, PSG coach, Mauricio Pochettino indicated Messi was still in Argentina and would not travel until he had tested negative. This indicated that Mauricio was unable to name a specific date of Messi’s possible return to action.
Messi reportedly flew back to Argentina along with his countrymen and PSG team-mates Angel Di Maria and Mauro Icardi after their last game against Lorient.
Somewhat surprisingly, the recently crowned seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has struggled to adapt to the French giants following his emotional exit from Barcelona in the summer, some reports have suggested.
Messi has scored just one goal in 11 Ligue 1 appearances so far this season, and the highly anticipated front three, consisting of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe has not yet lived up to expectations. Messi has however been in good form for the club in the Champions League, scoring five goals in as many appearances.
Speaking of Neymar, he is expected to continue his treatment for an ankle injury he sustained in Brazil. The treatment will last till 9th January, 2022 with members of the PSG medical and performance staff, according to the Ligue 1 club.
Neymar suffered ligament damage after spraining his ankle during a 3-1 league win over St Etienne in November. The Brazil international’s return to training is expected to be in about three weeks, said PSG.
The Paris club is top of Ligue 1 and holds a 13-point lead over Nice, with PSG’s next league fixture away at Lyon on January 9, 2021.
In February the French club will play Real Madrid in a star-studded Champions League round-of-16 tie as PSG continues its bid to win a first European Cup.
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