PSG Striker Lionel Messi Tests Positive For Coronavirus

The team's medical news on Saturday night, hadn't revealed the names at that point but on Sunday the club revealed the names of the four players, in a further statement.

Paris Saint-Germain's Star Striker Lionel Messi, Pic Credit: AFP

New Delhi: Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday confirmed that their star striker Lionel Messi along with three other PSG players have tested positive for Coronavirus. Apart from Messi, the three Parisian club footballers who have tested Covid-19 positive are midfielder Nathan Bitumazala, left back Juan Bernat and backup goalie Sergio Rico.

In addition to these four PSG footballers, one staff member had also tested positive for Coronavirus. The team's medical news on Saturday night, hadn't revealed the names at that point but on Sunday the club revealed the names of the four players, in a further statement.

"The 4 players that tested positive for Covid-19 are Leo Messi, Juan Bernat, Sergio Rico and Nathan Bitumazala. They are currently in isolation and are subject to the appropriate health protocol," PSG in a statement said.

Tests carried out during the winter break and before the resumption of training revealed 4 positive cases for Covid-19 among the players and 1 positive case among the staff. The people concerned are subject to the Covid protocols.

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 2, 2022

Argentine international Messi, who left Barcelona to join PSG in August, has scored six goals in 16 appearances for the club so far.

Paris Saint-Germain F.C. are currently at the top of the Ligue 1 standings with 46 points from 19 matches. It is 13 points above second-placed Nice.

The PACG squad was to leave for third tier club Vans on Monday for a French Cup round-of-32 match.

Meanwhile, France has confirmed 219,126 fresh Covid cases in last 24 hours on Saturday.  The country has recorded more than 200,000 cases for the fourth day in a row.  France joins the United States, India, Brazil, the UK and Russia in the list of countries with more than 10 million cases of COVID-19.