COVID-19 is now preventing one of the best soccer players on the planet from playing his sport, Lionel Messi.
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On Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain announced that its superstar had tested positive for the virus. Messi is one of the four players of the Parisian formation to find himself in this unfortunate situation.
The Argentine was tested in his hometown of Rosario, he who was there for a week of vacation with his relatives.
“He is in constant contact with our medical service. When it is negative, he can return to France, ”said PSG head coach Mauricio Pochettino at a press conference.
Messi will undoubtedly miss the clash of the Coupe de France of his own against OC de Vannes, which is scheduled for Monday. It would also be surprising if he was part of his team next Sunday, when Olympique Lyonnais will be PSG’s opponent in Ligue 1.
The other three players who contracted COVID-19 at the Paris club are goalkeeper Sergio Rico, defender Juan Bernat and midfielder Nathan Bitumazala. They are all in isolation right now, Pochettino said.
To return to Messi, this mishap is added to a difficult start with PSG. The holder of seven Ballons d’Or has amassed just one goal in 11 league games with the team that got him from FC Barcelona last summer. However, he hit the mark five times in Champions League clashes.
Not better in England
PSG are not the only prestigious team having to make do without some important players due to COVID-19.
In England, in the Premier League, Liverpool FC have reported that three of their starters have been diagnosed positive for the coronavirus. They are goalkeeper Alisson, fullback Joel Matip and forward Roberto Firmino.
The three missed an important duel against Chelsea FC, which ended with a score of 2-2.
Liverpool FC were also without head coach Jurgen Klopp, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week.