Former Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi has opened up about his COVID-19 ordeal, revealing that it took him longer than usual to recover from the highly infectious disease.
Messi, however, claimed that he is almost fully recovered and has already started training in the French capital.
"As you know, I had COVID and wanted to thank you all for the messages I received," Messi wrote on Instagram. "I wanted to tell you that it took longer than I thought it would to be well again, but I'm almost fully recovered and I'm looking forward to getting back on the pitch."
"I've been training in the past few days to reach 100 percent. There are big challenges this year and I hope we can all see each other again soon. Thanks to you all!," he added.
Messi caught the virus while on vacation in his native country of Argentina during the Christmas holidays. Subsequently, he went into isolation at a facility in Funes near Rosario.
The Copa America winner tested positive on 28 December and his present employers Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) only confirmed it on 2 January.
Despite Messi's recovery, Ligue 1 leaders PSG are unlikely to field him in their battle against Brent on Saturday.