Messi's struggle with COVID-19: It left me with after-effects in my lungs

Paris Saint Germain forward Lionel Messi has opened up about how badly he struggled with COVID-19 when he contracted the disease.

Messi got the virus in early January 2022 when there appeared to be a resurgence in cases all around the world.

He suffered the same sort of symptoms as many have - sore throat, coughing and fever - but he then had respiratory issues long after he had started to test negative.

The 34-year-old has explained during an interview with Argentinian media outlet TYC Sports how the disease affected him for longer than he initially expected.

"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," Messi said.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner missed two Ligue 1 matches and one Coupe de France tie after he initially tested positive in January.

Messi admitted that by pushing himself to return to the pitch and find some form in Paris, he caused further damage to his breathing.

"I came back before I should have, and it got worse because I went too fast and it ended up setting me back," he said.

"But I couldn't take it anymore, I wanted to run, to train. I wanted to get going. And in the end, it got worse."