‘Murderer’ – Argentine DJ denies infecting Messi with Covid-19
Robin Bairner
- 3 Jan 2022 11:08 CST
- 3 min read
Lionel Messi’s difficult start to life at Paris Saint-Germain has continued into 2022 with the revelation that he will miss Monday’s Coupe de France match against Vannes after suffering from Covid-19.
The Argentina superstar signed for the club in August but has thus far managed only a single domestic goal. While he has scored five times in five Champions League matches, this represents a disappointing return for a player who has now won the Ballon d’Or on seven occasions.
Messi could be out of action for up to 18 days, depending on when the positive test was returned - something that has not been made public. Rules in France mean that he will have to self isolate for 10 days before returning to individual training away from the squad for a further week.
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With this in mind, he could potentially miss next Sunday’s trip to face Lyon and then a Saturday evening date with Brest on 15 January. Indeed, Messi will only be able to return to France from Argentina once he has completed a negative test for Covid.
His diagnosis has caused a certain amount of resentment among the player’s individual fanbase, which has turned its ire towards DJ Fer Palacio as a result.
Argentine DJ targeted by Messi fans
Palacio posted a picture of himself with Messi in an Argentine nightclub on New Year’s Eve, which received over 500,000 likes on Instagram.
He captioned the picture: “I got the greatest to dance. Thanks to all the Messi family for the invitation.”
However, Messi subsequently picking up Covid has provoked numerous messages directed at the DJ.
"I am a trend on Twitter because Messi tested positive for Covid-19," he said on Instagram, showing a video of his own negative test. "They relate this to me saying that I infected him. They have even called me ‘murderer’.
"I have a lot of very bad private messages. Yesterday I got tested because I have to travel to Uruguay and I do not have Covid-19."
This Covid-19 infection is just the latest hiccup to hit Messi as he tries to get back to his best at PSG after a traumatic move from Barcelona in the summer.
