Lionel Messi positive for Covid

Paris, January 2

Paris St Germain forward Lionel Messi and three other players have tested positive for Covid-19, the French Ligue 1 club said today.

Defender Juan Bernat, back-up goalkeeper Sergio Rico and midfielder Nathan Bitumazala were the other players who returned positive tests. PSG said the four players were in isolation and subject to the appropriate health protocols.

Mauricio Pochettino’s team is top of the Ligue 1 standings on 46 points after 19 matches, 13 points above second-placed Nice. Pochettino said he was unsure if Messi, who is currently in Argentina, would feature in their next league game. “Until he gets a negative test in Argentina, he will not be able to travel to France,” Pochettino said.

PSG also said that Brazil forward Neymar, who is out with an ankle injury, was about three weeks away from returning to training. — Reuters