From the Liveblog of
Sunday, January 2, 2022
Soccer star Lionel Messi tests positive for COVID
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PARIS — Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi is among four players in the Paris Saint-Germain squad to have tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of the team’s French Cup game tomorrow night.
PSG added that one staff member also had COVID-19, in a statement last night. None of them were named at that point, but in a further statement on the team’s medical news today the club names Messi, left back Juan Bernat, backup goalie Sergio Rico and 19-year-old midfielder Nathan Bitumazala.
PSG is playing at third-tier Vannes.
Last year’s runner-up Monaco was in action later Sunday at second-tier Quevilly-Rouen in one of 13 games scheduled for the day as sides bid to reach the last 16.
Monaco said yesterday that seven players had COVID-19 but none showed any worrying signs and are isolating.
The Times of Israel Community.