Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has tested positive for COVID-19 in his native Argentina, the French club said Sunday.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will miss the team’s Coupe de France match against Vannes on Monday. His status for PSG’s next Ligue 1 match on Jan. 9 at Lyon is uncertain.
“Messi has been in regular contact with our medical team, and when he has a negative test, he will travel to France, but we don’t know any more than that. I don’t know if he will be involved against Lyon,” coach Mauricio Pochettino said, per Reuters.
“Until he gets a negative test in Argentina, he will not be able to travel to France. So it is all down to the test in terms of when he can travel. … We will assess when he is ready to play.”
The club said three other players — Juan Bernat, Sergio Rico and Nathan Bitumazala — also tested positive and are in isolation.
Messi, 34, has a goal and four assists in 10 starts this season in Ligue 1. Paris Saint-Germain sits atop the table with 46 points, 13 points ahead of both Nice and Marseille.
–Field Level Media