Lionel Messi will NOT travel with Argentina for World Cup Qualifiers as he makes Covid recovery 

Lionel Messi ‘NOT expected’ to travel with Argentina for World Cup qualifiers, as PSG star presumed to stay at club whilst he makes Covid-19 recovery

  • Lionel Messi is not expected to travel with Argentina for World Cup Qualifiers
  • The Argentine is still yet to recover from Covid after testing positive at New Year 
  • He is expected to stay put in Paris and dedicate his efforts to regaining fitness
  • The forward revealed it has taken him longer than normal to shake off the virus  











Lionel Messi is not expected to travel with Argentina for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, as the PSG star battles for fitness amidst his Covid recovery.

The seven-time Balon d’Or winner was among four PSG players who tested positive for the virus after returning from the Christmas period a couple weeks ago.

Despite crucial World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, Messi will stay in Paris and dedicate his efforts to rebuilding his match fitness for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Lionel Messi is not expected to travel with Argentina for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers

The Argentine 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. 

The former Camp Nou player has not hit the dizzying heights expected in the French top-flight before seeing his campaign disrupted by injury and Covid. 

Messi has even confirmed that it took him ‘longer than I thought’ to recover from coronavirus, with the star being out of action for two weeks now. 

Messi has been out of action for PSG since contracting coronavirus at the start of the New Year

Messi has been out of action for PSG since contracting coronavirus at the start of the New Year

 In an Instagram post, Messi said:  ‘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!!’   

With his exact return date still unknown, Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping his compatriot will be available for their match against Reims on Sunday. 

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