Paris Saint Germain will miss the services of Lionel Messi when they take on Monaco on Sunday.
The Argentine is reported to be ill and won’t play a part in the game after being jeered in the club’s last outing against Bordeaux last weekend that followed the Champions League exit to Real Madrid.
On Saturday the club said the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was being treated for flu-like symptoms and was not in the squad for the trip to the principality.
Apart from Messi, the French giants will miss the services of goalkeeper Keylor Navas who has also been struck down by illness. PSG have injury worries of their own as Sergio Ramos, Ángel di María, Juan Bernat, Layvin Kurzawa, and Ander Herrera are all ruled out of the game at the Stade Louis II.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted there was “sadness” among the squad after Messi and Neymar Jr. were both booed by the home crowd last weekend, but he said the Ligue 1 leaders were now focused on reclaiming the title.
“Everyone is affected by this disappointment, but in football, you can’t stop, you need to keep going. We need to mobilize and give the club another title,” said Pochettino.
Despite the blip, PSG are still leading the Ligue One table with 65 points; 15 ahead of second-placed Marseille.
