Argentine striker Lionel Messi admitted on Sunday that he worries about contracting COVID-19 a day earlier than making one other Copa America debut with the nationwide group amid infections between rival groups.
Players or officers from Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela examined optimistic for the virus even earlier than the beginning of the South American event in Brasilia on Sunday night.
Messi, who will line up for Argentina of their opener towards Chile in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, mentioned the worry of contracting the virus within the group was widespread.
“This worries us because it is a risk to everyone who catches COVID,” he instructed reporters. “We attempt to watch out however it’s not simple. these items occur.”
“We’ll try to do everything we can so that nobody gets it but sometimes it’s not entirely up to ourselves.”
Messi is believed to not have been vaccinated, regardless that the South American Football Confederation mentioned in April that he had obtained the vaccination and was aiming to provide the shot to all worldwide gamers earlier than the beginning of the Copa America.
Argentina was scheduled to host this 12 months’s Copa America however withdrew on the final minute on account of a surge in COVID-19 instances. The event was moved to Brazil, regardless that the loss of life toll there’s increased than wherever exterior the United States.
Although organizers declare they’ve put in place strict protocols, Venezuela misplaced eight gamers and Bolivia misplaced three for testing optimistic forward of the event’s opening match towards Brazil on Sunday.
Marquinhos, Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa misplaced to inexperienced Venezuela 3-0 for the host nation.
Brazil received the event two years in the past by beating Argentina within the semi-finals in a controversial match, and Messi mentioned he was determined to lastly repeat his membership’s success on the worldwide stage.
“I think it’s time to hit a blow and the chance could come in this Copa America,” mentioned the Barcelona ahead and six-time winner of one of the best participant on the planet award.
“My massive dream is to win the title with the nationwide group. I used to be too shut on a number of events and sadly could not make it work. I’ll hold going till I am unable to do any extra. “
“I’ve been lucky enough to win everything at the club level and at the individual level and it would be beautiful to win with the national team as well.”
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
