Lionel Messi has rarely been able to impress since moving from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. In January, the superstar is also infected with the corona virus. Now he admits that he returned to training too early and suffered from lung damage.
Superstar Lionel Messi had to deal with long-term effects after his corona infection. "The truth is that it hit me very hard. And it left its mark on me, there were after-effects mainly in the lungs," said the Argentina national football team captain in an interview with Argentine TV channel TyC Sports.
Messi had tested positive for the corona virus in early January. "I couldn't train. I came back and I couldn't even walk properly for about a month and a half because my lungs were affected," said the French champions Paris Saint-Germain midfielder.
He was not afraid and, out of ambition, even started earlier against the advice of the doctors. After a three-game break, he returned in the 4-0 win over Stade Reims on 23 January when he came on as a 63rd-minute substitute. But in retrospect it was too soon and had negative consequences. "I came back before I should have. And it got worse because I was too hasty. That set me back," explained the 34-year-old. He couldn't bear to do anything anymore: "I wanted to run and train - I just wanted to keep going. And in the end it got worse."
Messi's first season with the Parisians after moving from Barcelona was mediocre. In 34 competitive games he met only eleven times. In the end, it was probably also a consequence of his infection. But now he's optimistic again. "This year will be different. I'm already prepared for what's to come. I know the club, I know the city, I'm a little more comfortable in the dressing room with my team-mates and I know it's going to be different," he said he. Kylian Mbappé's contract extension and the rumors of fraud that accompany it are causing a lot more excitement in the French capital.
