Lionel Messi is among four Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) players to test positive for COVID-19, the club confirmed on Sunday. Juan Bernat, Nathan Bitumazala and Sergio Rico, apart from one staff member, have also contracted the infection, PSG said in a statement. 

“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,” PSG said. 

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Messi was in his hometown of Rosario in Argentina for the holiday period, where was recently seen attending a concert with wife Antonela Roccuzzo. The former Barcelona man last played in PSG’s 1-1 draw with Lorient on December 22 before the Ligue 1 winter break. 

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He flew down to Argentina along with compatriots Angel di Maria and Mauro Icardi, according to a Daily Mail report. 

Messi has had a slow start to life in Ligue 1, with just one goal in 11 appearances his lowest return in years. The Argentine has four assists and has hit the woodwork six times so far in the league. 

However, Messi has started the Champions League campaign in more familiar goalscoring fashion, finding the net five times in five games so far. 

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Meanwhile, Neymar Jr, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury sustained during the 3-1 win over Saint Etienne on November 28, will continue his treatment in Brazil and is expected to return to training in three weeks. 

Neymar “will continue his treatment in Brazil until 9 January with members of the Paris Saint-Germain medical and performance staff. His return to training is still expected to be in about 3 weeks,” the club said. 

PSG are top of Ligue 1 with 46 points from 19 games, 13 clear of second-placed Nice. They will next be in action on Monday, when they take on Vannes in the French Cup.