Paris Saint-Germain, PSG, have announced that Lionel Messi alongside three other players have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of their opening league game for 2022.
The other 3 players that tested positive for Covid-19 are Juan Bernat, Sergio Rico and Nathan Bitumazala.
They are currently in isolation and are subject to the appropriate health protocol, Quest Times gathered.
The contagious nature of the Omicron variant has led to a whole host of big-name players and coaches missing matches lately, and now Mauricio Pochettino will be without Messi for PSG’s trip to face Vannes in the Coupe de France on Monday night.
Frustratingly for PSG and Pochettino, Messi may not be able to feature in their big Ligue 1 match away at Lyon on January 9 if he continues to test positive.
Neymar update
The French club also confirmed that Neymar will continue his recovery from injury with members of the club’s staff in his home country of Brazil before returning to Paris on January 9.
In a related news, Victor Osimhen has also tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the AFCON games slated to commence this week.
But the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has taken drastic step to get replacement for the Nigerian forward alongside others injured or having health issues.