Lionel Messi Gets Brutally Honest on Painful After-Effects of COVID-19, Heartbreaking Barcelona Exit

Lionel Messi on Monday opened up about his experience when he contracted COVID-19 earlier this year.

The football superstar from Argentina talked about how he survived the notorious disease in an interview with TYC Sports on Monday, according to a CNN News report.

"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," Messi underscored.

Lionel Messi contracted COVID-19 earlier in early January. The football superstar clarified that during that time, he experienced various symptoms, including sore throat and fever.

However, when the initial symptoms of the disease cleared up, Messi continued to struggle with respiratory complications.

Messi pointed out that there was a moment when he could not take it anymore because he wanted to run and train. He then noted that he went back to the field earlier than he should have and that made his condition worse after getting COVID.

Messi missed three matches due to the disease. Two of the matches he missed are from Ligue 1 and one in the French Cup.

Lionel Messi 'Shocked' by His Barcelona Exit

Lionel Messi also opened up about his sudden exit from FC Barcelona on Monday, claiming that "it was really difficult" to comprehend what happened, per Mirror.

The Argentine superstar added that he was not expecting to leave Barcelona and that his exit shocked him.

Messi went on to say that he had everything in Barcelona and that he loved it more in the said city than in Argentina.

Messi also stressed that he was not planning to change anything. He then lauded how his children adapted, stressing that his wife and him were the ones who had a hard time adjusting with the new environment.

Lionel Messi in PSG

Lionel Messi joined Paris Saint Germain (PSG) after his contract with Barcelona ended.

However, recent reports claimed that the Argentine superstar was unhappy with PSG as he has failed to settle in the city and at the club for multiple reasons.

One of the reasons is his annoyance with FC Barcelona's president, Laporta, who references his PSG deal.

Brazilian star player Neymar defended Messi on Monday, claiming that adapting to a new team is not easy.

Neymar told Canal Futbol Club that it was challenging to change city, emphasizing that Messi does not come alone as he transfers with his family.

Neymar also opened up that the style of playing of their current team affects Messi's performance with PSG.

Neymar underscored that there is a style of play of the team with players who do not understand the way they play or strategize.

"All of that is detrimental," Neymar noted.

Lionel Messi ended the season with 11 goals and 14 assists. The Argentine superstar is preparing to play with his national team against Italy in the first edition of Finalissima. The said competition is devised by UEFA and CONMEBOL, pitting the winners of Euro 2020 against the winners of Copa America.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

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