Lionel Messi has revealed that it took him ‘longer than I thought’ to recover from coronavirus but has told Paris Saint-Germain fans he will be back in action ‘very soon’.
The Argentine’s positive diagnosis for the virus was confirmed just after the New Year, with Messi on his winter break back home in Argentina.
The 34-year-old has claimed he is back training but has not fully recovered yet, in an Instagram post which showed him and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo relaxing at home.
Lionel Messi (left) has given Paris Saint-Germain fans an update on his recovery from Covid
Messi tested positive for Covid over the winter break but it’s taking him longer than normal to recover
The post read: ‘As you know I had COVID and I wanted to thank you for all the messages I received and to tell you that it took longer than I thought to be well but I have almost recovered and I am really looking forward to getting back on the pitch.
‘I have been training these days to get 100%, very beautiful challenges are coming this year and I hope we can see each other again very soon. Thanks!!’
Messi has missed two PSG matches since his positive Covid diagnosis was revealed – a 4-0 French Cup victory over Vannes and a 1-1 draw away at rivals Lyon.
The Argentine is unlikely to be back for PSG’s Ligue 1 contest with Brest on Saturday and will not be involved for his country on national team duty later this month.
Messi has told PSG fans he will be back ‘very soon’ but has not recovered from the virus yet
Instead, Messi will stay in Paris and dedicate his efforts to rebuilding his match fitness for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. The news is a blow for Argentina, who have crucial World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia to come on January 28 and February 1.
Messi, 34, was among four PSG players who tested positive for the virus after returning from their winter break last week.
As well as the Argentine, Juan Bernat, Sergio Rico and Nathan Bitumazala all contracted Covid while away over Christmas. One member of Mauricio Pochettino’s staff is also understood to have returned a positive test.
Messi has scored six goals in 16 matches for PSG this season following his shock free transfer from Barcelona over the summer – but only one of those goals has come in Ligue 1.
