As COVID-19 cases continue to surge following the emergence of the new variant Omicron, sports personalities have once again become vulnerable. Despite all the precautions and bio-bubbles in place, there is no stopping coronavirus from breaching the tightest of the bubbles and making life hell for everyone. (More Sports News)
After the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Rafael Nadal, Sourav Ganguly caught the virus towards the end of 2021, more and more famous athletes are being hit by the fast-spreading virus. In 2022, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi headlines a list of rich and the famous afflicted by COVID.
In India, the I-League has been suspended for six weeks after a clutch of players and officials were affected by COVID in their 'secure' team hotel in Kolkata. Having said that, India's tour of South Africa, a nation ravaged by Omicron, continues fine while the Australian Open 2022 is getting ready for a smooth take off.
Let’s take a look at the sports celebrities who tested positive for Coronavirus in 2022 so far.
Lionel Messi
Life has been tough for Lionel Messi since his arrival at the Paris Saint-Germain last year. Things took a bad turn at the start of 2022 when the former Barcelona star Lionel Messi tested positive for the Coronavirus along with his three other PSG teammates. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has entered into self-isolation and will miss the French Cup 2021-22 tie against Vannes. Since his transfer from to PSG, the Argentinean has scored only one goal in 11 Ligue 1 appearances, although he has netted five times in the Champions League.
Giorgio Chiellini
Juventus’ start to the New Year 2022 was rocked by the news of captain Giorgio Chiellini testing positive for COVID-19. The 37-year-old has been isolating at home after coming in contact with a COVID-positive person last week before being tested on Saturday. A day earlier, Chellini’s teammates Carlo Pinsoglio and Arthur Melo had tested positive.
Chris Silverwood
England suffered a major setback when head coach Chris Silverwood tested positive for COVID-19 and will have to sit out of the fourth Ashes 2021-22 Test against Australia. Silverwood had already been isolating after coming in contact with a COVID-19 positive person among the England support staff. Upon routine testing on Sunday, Silverwood’s samples came out positive. “He will remain in isolation until January 8. Silverwood is asymptomatic and is fully vaccinated. He is expected to return to the England party in Hobart ahead of the fifth Ashes Test,” ECB said in a statement.
Glenn McGrath
Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. The former pacer was about to present baggy pink caps to both Australia and England players in the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney for the Pink Test which is being played in the memory of his late wife Jane, who died of breast cancer. McGrath is currently isolating himself.
Roman Reigns
The biggest setback for WWE fans in New Year 2022 has been Roman Reigns testing positive for COVID-19. Reigns, WWE’s biggest superstar, was scheduled to defend his WWE Championship title against Brock Lesnar but had to pull out of the event at the last moment.
Avishek Dalmiya
Cricket Association of Bengal president Avishek Dalmiya was on Tuesday admitted to a city hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. He developed COVID-19 symptoms like fever and his RT-PCR report “has come positive with high viral load”, he stated in a Facebook post. Last week, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly too was admitted to the same hospital where he was treated for four days after testing positive.
Laxmi Ratan Shukla
Former India all-rounder and Bengal captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla, who is also the current U-23 coach of the state team, has tested positive for the Coronavirus. Shukla is having high fever and has been advised of home isolation. Shukla has played three ODIs for India taking one wicket.
Glenn Maxwell
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is the latest in the list to fall under the COVID-19 trap. The Melbourne Starts captain tested positive after taking a routine rapid antigen test in the going Big Bash League.
Pep Guardiola
Amid the growing COVID-19 numbers in the English Premier League, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has tested positive. The defending champions said Guardiola was among 14 backroom staff and seven first-team players "isolating for COVID-related reasons."
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tested positive for the coronavirus on arrival in Cameroon with the rest of the Gabon squad for the African Cup of Nations. The squad took rapid antigen tests and Aubameyang was one among three who were positive and underwent more tests to confirm if they are infected. The Gabon squad had been in Dubai for a pre-tournament training camp.
