DJ responds after threats over Messi covid positive

We learned on Sunday that Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi had tested positive for covid-19, meaning that he misses out on Monday's Coupe de France Round of 32 tie against Vannes, where Pochettino said he would play a much-weakened side.

But while catching covid is a depressingly common occurence - even within the world of professional sport - the process of Messi becoming infected has led to much abuse and some death threats.

You may also be interested in:

Argentine DJ issues post after Messi infection abuse

The backlash has been in the direction of Fer Palacio, a DJ in Argentina who is being blamed for passing on covid-19 to the much-loved player.

Last week, the DJ posted a photo of himself and Messi on Instagram after putting on a performance as part of their New Year's Eve celebrations. Despite the player having been at several parties while back home over the festive period, the abuse, including strangely being called a 'murderer', was fired at one person in particular.

Taking to Instagram again, Palacio made his defence.

"I am a trend on Twitter because Messi tested positive for Covid-19," he posted on Instagram stories.

"They relate this to me saying that I infected him. They have even called me 'murderer'.

"I have a lot of very bad private messages. Yesterday I got tested because I have to travel to Uruguay and I do not have Covid-19."

Pochettino to field reserves in French cup

"They are currently in isolation and are subject to the appropriate health protocol," the Ligue 1 leaders announced on their website. Mauricio Pochettino is expected to field a young side in the domestic cup game, with Neymar also unavailable as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. PSG said Neymar would continue to receive treatment back home in Brazil for another week.

"His return to training is still expected to be in about three weeks," the club said.

Pochettino said in a press conference: "We have been living with the virus for two years now, and I think we all know we need to avoid it. But it is a virus we have been living with for a long time and there is still a lot that we do not know about how it works.

"Leo Messi has been in regular contact with our medical team and when he has a negative test he will travel to France, and we do not know any more than that."

Messi doubtful for PSG-Lyon

PSG play their first Ligue 1 game of 2022 against Olympique Lyon next Sunday, but with Messi currently in Argentina and isolating, he remains a doubt for that fixture. "I do not know if he will be involved against Lyon," Pochettino said.

"Until Leo Messi gets a negative test in Argentina, he will not be able to travel to France. It is all down to the test in terms of when he can travel. When he does, we will assess when he is ready to play."