2 years ago
Lionel Messi is one of four Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) players who have tested positive for Covid-19, according to a statement issued by the club on Sunday.
Juan Bernat, Sergio Rico, and Nathan Bitumazala are the other three players.
According to the team, all players are "in isolation and are subject to the appropriate health protocol."
On Monday, PSG will face Vannes in the round of 32 of the French Cup.
According to data from the country's Health Ministry, France recorded 232,200 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday, the highest daily number recorded across Europe since the start of the pandemic.
Messi has scored just one Ligue 1 goal since joining PSG from Barcelona in August, but he has five in five Champions League games.
Messi won his seventh Ballon d'Or in November.
Messi's victory set a new record, as he now has two more titles than his archrival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although Messi had a relatively down year at club level, the 34-year-old Argentine was instrumental in Argentina winning the Copa América earlier this year.
He also finished as the top scorer in the Spanish league and scored two goals as Barcelona won the Copa del Rey.
Messi previously received the Ballon d'Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2019.
Lionel Messi warms up before PSG's Ligue 1 match against AS Monaco on December 12, 2021 at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France.
Lionel Messi displays his seventh Ballon D'Or trophy on November 29, 2021, at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris, France.
Update on Neymar's injury
Meanwhile, Neymar Jr. will continue his ankle injury treatment in Brazil until January 9th with members of the PSG medical and performance staff.
based on the Ligue 1 club
Neymar suffered ligament damage after spraining his ankle in November during a 3-1 league win over St Etienne.
The Brazilian international is expected to return to training in three weeks, according to PSG.
The Paris club leads Ligue 1 by 13 points over Nice, with PSG's next league match away at Lyon on January 9.
In February, PSG will face Real Madrid in a star-studded Champions League round-of-16 match as it continues its quest for its first European Cup.