Messi Is Believed To Have Not Been Vaccinated, He Is Worried About Contracting COVID-19 Ahead Of Argentina's First Match In The Copa America

Lionel Messi (Instagram @argentina)

JAKARTA - Argentine superstar Lionel Messi admitted that he was worried about contracting COVID-19, a day before his team's inaugural Copa America 2021 match against Chile in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.

"This worries us because there is a risk that everyone could catch COVID", he told reporters ahead of the match, quoted by Antara from Reuters on Monday.

This year's Copa America has indeed been plagued by the COVID-19 outbreak, especially after players and officials from the national teams of Bolivia, Colombia, and Venezuela tested positive for the virus even before the biggest tournament in South America started on Monday in Brazil.

"We try to be careful, but it's not easy. Things like this happen", Messi said.

"We will try to do everything we can so no one gets infected, but sometimes it doesn't just depend on ourselves".

Messi is believed to have not been vaccinated, although the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said in April it had received the vaccine and would give all international players the vaccine before the Copa America begins.

Argentina had originally hosted this year's Copa America but withdrew at the last minute due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.

The tournament was later moved to Brazil, although the death toll in that country is higher than any other country outside the United States.

Despite the organizers claiming they were following strict protocols, Venezuela had to lose eight players for testing positive for COVID-19 days before their inaugural match against Brazil began. While Bolivia lost three players due to the coronavirus.

Brazil won the tournament two years ago, beating Argentina in the semi-finals in a game that was marred by controversy.

This tournament will be Messi's latest attempt to present an international trophy for his homeland.

Despite being immensely successful at club level, the 33-year-old is hoping to win his first international trophy with the Argentine senior team.

"I think it's the right time to give it a shot and a chance at this Copa America", said Barcelona forward.

"My big dream is to win titles with the national team. I almost did it on many occasions and unfortunately, it didn't work. I will keep going until I can't anymore".

"I was lucky enough to win everything at club and individual level, it would be beautiful to win with the national team too".