France Ligue 1

LIONEL MESSI has revealed that the effects of Covid-19 led him to struggle with respiratory issues.The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, 34, contracted the virus in January.
Messi revealed that the effects of Covid-19 left him struggling to breathe and runCredit: Getty
As a result, he missed Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia as well as three domestic fixtures with PSG.
But now he has revealed that he suffered long-term effects from the illness which had an impact on his lungs.
In an interview with TYC Sports earlier this week, he said: “It left me with after effects.
“It left me with after effects in my lungs. I came back and it was like a month and a half without even being able to run because my lungs were affected.”
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More on Lionel Messi.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Messi situation .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Messi is ‘happier’ and ‘different’ with Argentina than with PSG, says Tevez
Despite being out of action for around three weeks at the start of the year, Messi also admitted that he returned too soon which ultimately led to his condition becoming worse.
He added: “I came back before I should have, and it got worse because I went too fast and it ended up setting me back.
“But I couldn’t take it any more, I wanted to run, to train — I wanted to get going. And in the end, it got worse.”
Messi has endured a tough start to life in Ligue 1.
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On top of dealing with various injury issues and illnesses, he has not been able to hit the same heights as he did while at Barcelona.
He has also been subject to poor treatment from PSG fans.
In March, he received boos and jeers from supporters during a 3-0 home win against Bordeaux.
Some even called for him to leave by vandalising PSG’s training ground with graffiti which read ‘Leo out’.
However, despite the underwhelming season he is reportedly set to stay at the Parc des Princes next year. More

LIONEL MESSI has “no doubt” that he should miss out on this year’s Ballon d’Or.The Paris Saint-Germain forward, a seven-time winner, controversially pipped Robert Lewandowski to the award in 2021.
Lionel Messi has hit back at Robert LewandowskiCredit: AFP
The Argentinean pipped the Pole to the 2021 Ballon d’OrCredit: Reuters
However, he is adamant that Karim Benzema should get it next time around after he fired Real Madrid to the Champions League.
The 34-year-old striker is the favourite following his 44 goals in 46 matches for Los Blancos.
And Messi told Argentine TV station TyC Sports that the French star was a shoo-in.
He said: “I think there are no doubts this year.
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“It is very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year and ended up victorious in the Champions League, being essential from the last 16 onwards in all the games.”
Messi then addressed the furore regarding the two previous awards.
Bayern Munich’s Lewandowski was the hot favourite to lift the 2020 crown before the showpiece was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Messi then beat him to the prize last year – even though he urged authorities to give Lewandowski the 2020 award.
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The Pole admitted his disappointment at Messi winning over him – to which the South American legend has now responded by saying he has no interest in what his rival says on the matter.
He said: “Obviously he can express himself and say what he wants. I honestly don’t share what he said but I didn’t give it much importance either.
“That’s it, it stayed there and he can say what he wants and I’m not interested. 
“But the words I said at that moment were from the heart and because I really felt that way.
“I said he deserved the Ballon d’Or before, because the year before I thought he was the best, but the year I won it was not the best. I just said that.”
Karim Benzema has been backed to win this year’s awardCredit: AFP More