Scaloni reveals Messi is still suffering from the effects of Covid

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni reveals he didn’t call up Lionel Messi for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers because ‘Covid had affected him a lot’, with the PSG star STILL ‘not 100 per cent’

  • Lionel Messi is still suffering from the effects of getting Covid, says Scaloni
  • The PSG star contracted the virus last month and is still ‘not 100 per cent’
  • Argentina boss Scaloni, who has Covid, decided against calling up Messi

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has revealed that Lionel Messi is still suffering from the effects of having Covid, after he contracted the ‘roughest variant’ during the winter break.

PSG superstar Messi has played just once this year after getting infected last month, making his return in the 4-0 win over Reims last weekend.

However, Messi was not called up for Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Chile and Colombia due to the fact that he was still not 100 per cent fully recovered from the virus, according to Scaloni.

Lionel Messi is still not 100 per cent after recovering from Covid, says Argentina boss Scaloni

Scaloni, who will also not travel for the qualifiers after he contracted Covid himself, explained his captain’s omission, with Paulo Dybala expected to be his replacement in the team’s starting lineup.

‘I talked to (Messi) after he tested positive for COVID,’ Scaloni told a press conference on Wednesday. ‘It affected him a lot, he had the roughest variant.

‘It is important that he recovers, feels fit because there will be important moments ahead. I felt that it was not ideal for him to joins us [on international duty this weekend] not being at 100 per cent. He was affected for a some time.’ 

Scaloni told reporters that his assistants Walter Samuel and Roberto Ayala will be in charge for the match. Argentina has already secured a spot at the tournament in Qatar, while Chile is still in contention.

Scaloni decided not to call up Messi to the Argentina squad because ‘Covid affected him a lot’

Messi (left) contracted the ‘roughest variant’ of the virus during the European winter break

‘I am well, recovered. But the PCR remains positive,’ Scaloni added.

The virus has also affected Chile, with defenders Mauricio Isla and Francisco Sierralta and winger Jean Meneses out.

Brazil and Argentina have both qualified for the World Cup, with two more automatic spots up for grabs in South American qualifying. 

The fifth-place team advances to a playoff against an Asian opponent. Only last-place Venezuela, with seven points, is out of contention.




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