Lionel Messi & Three of his PSG Teammates Tested Positive for Covid-19

Players are currently in isolation and are subject to the appropriate health protocol

Paris St Germain’s striker Lionel Messi and three other players have tested positive for Covid-19, the French club said in a statement on Sunday.

Defender Juan Bernat, back-up goalkeeper Sergio Rico and midfielder Nathan Bitumazala were the other players who tested positive. The club said, “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." 

Messi flew back home to Rosario during the Christmas break and reportedly tested positive on Saturday. He will need to test negative before he is allowed to return to France. That means he will miss the Coupe de France game against Vannes OC on Monday. So will Bernat, Rico and Bitumazala.

The Argentina international Messi joined PSG in August after he left Barcelona. The 34-year-old has scored 6 goals in 16 games in all competition for the French side.

“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.” Pocehttino said.

“Until he gets a negative test in Argentina he won’t 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 also released an update on the recovery of Neymar from his left ankle injury. The Brazilian striker "will continue his treatment in Brazil until 9 January" and won't return to training in about three weeks.

PSG are playing against Olympique Lyonnais on the road in Ligue 1 on January 9 and hosting Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on February 15.

France has reported 219,126 new confirmed cases in a 24 hour period on Saturday, the fourth day in a row that the country has reported more than 200,000 cases.