Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed that Lionel Messi has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Monday’s Coupe de France round of 32 clash with Vannes OC with the Ligue 1 trip to Olympique Lyonnais also now in major doubt.
The French giants updated their medical bulletin on Sunday ahead of head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s pre-match press conference and the Argentina international is one of four players to have returned a positive test along with Juan Bernat, Sergio Rico, and Nathan Bitumazala.
“The four players that tested positive for Covid-19 are Leo Messi, Juan Bernat, Sergio Rico and Nathan Bitumazala,” read the bulletin. “They are currently in isolation and are subject to the appropriate health protocol.”
Bernat was with the squad on Saturday for the resumption of training so the possibility that this is not the final positive case is strong as Pochettino hinted during his press conference while also confirming that Messi will remain in the pair’s homeland until he tests negative.
“We have been living with this virus for two years now,” he said. “There are things out of our control. We can get it even when we take all the necessary precautions. Messi is in touch with our medical staff. I do not know if he will be ready for Lyon. He will not be able to travel until he tests negative.”
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SOURCE: CBS Sports, Jonathan Johnson
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