The Year 2022 came with another wave of surging Covid-19 cases worldwide due to the new highly contagious variant Omicron is being spread very fast.
The Footballing World is also greatly affected by this new variant. Paris Saint-Germain player Lionel Messi has tested positive for COVID-19, as per the statement by PSG Club.
Highlights
According to his club, Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi tested positive for Covid-19 and has been placed in self-isolation.
Total Four PSG players tested positive for the virus ahead of a French Cup match against Vannes. Messi was one of four PSG players who tested positive for the virus.
The Argentina star has had a tough start to life in Paris after he departed from Barcelona last year. In 11 league games for PSG, Messi has only one goal. However, he has five goals in the UEFA Champions League.
He’ll miss Monday’s cup match, as well as PSG’s first Ligue 1 match since the winter break, next Sunday against Lyon. Other players who tested positive were Juan Bernat, Sergio Rico, and Nathan Bitumazala, a teenage midfielder.
Mauricio Pochettino, the coach of PSG, is unsure when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner would be able to return to France or whether he will be able to heal in time to play in the league against Lyon next Sunday.
Covid-19 is affecting other clubs as well
Leading European clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, have been decimated by coronavirus infections, reflecting an increase in the number of cases on the continent due to the omicron variant.
England has been the hardest hit, with the Premier League continuing to play through the holidays despite a slew of postponements.
Before Sunday’s match against Chelsea, Liverpool reported three more suspected coronavirus infections, with goalkeeper Alisson, forward Roberto Firmino, and defender Joel Matip being isolated. Manager Jurgen Klopp had already been placed in isolation and was unable to travel to London.
For the first time in two weeks, French clubs are back in action after a break that allows players to return home or go on vacation.
Left-back Juan Bernat, backup goalkeeper Sergio Rico, and midfielder Nathan Bitumazala have all contracted COVID-19, limiting Mauricio Pochettino’s options for Monday’s French Cup encounter third-tier Vannes.
Although PSG leads the league by 13 points, it’s unknown whether the quartet, including Messi, will be fit to play again.
Another Difficult year for football fans
2022 could be another difficult year for football fans all around the world, with the new Omicron variant on the loose and already affecting almost every country.
It is safe to say that all the leagues and matches scheduled for at least the first 2-3 months of the year will be postponed because of Covid-19.
The best option right now for countries is to go on a lockdown or a partial lockdown to reduce the cases. Even the English Premier League is going right now, but many of its matches are also being cancelled or postponed.
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