PSG fear for Messi's fitness ahead of international break

Argentine will not play against Brest on Saturday

Posted Friday, January 14, 2022 by Marca.com

The new year hasn't started well for Paris Saint-Germain, either in terms of results or dressing room harmony, yet the club are facing another headache with fears over Lionel Messi's fitness growing ahead of the upcoming international break.

Messi returned from a short break over Christmas, but he wasn't fit enough to play in the 1-1 draw against Lyon on Sunday, and he has already been ruled out of the next Ligue 1 match against Brest, which is due to happen on Saturday.

However, Le Parisien has detailed that the club's medical department wants the player to take a calm approach to training after recovering from COVID-19.

Featuring for Argentina's national team wouldn't fit into those plans, and the Ligue 1 leaders have sent a message to the AFA requesting that Messi isn't called up to duty in the next break.

This is set to take place between January 24 and February 2, and PSG hope they will be given some leniency by the AFA as Argentina have already secured their spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

On February 15, PSG are set to face Real Madrid in the Champions League first knockout round, and this is the most important match of the club's campaign.

He is key to their chances of winning, and PSG need him to be available, especially after their experiences in the past with Neymar missing crucial knockout ties through injury.