Soccer-Messi confesses to worrying about contracting COVID-19

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Argentina v Chile - Estadio Unico, Santiago del Estero, Argentina - June 3, 2021 Argentina's Lionel Messi before scoring their first goal from the penalty spot POOL via REUTERS/Juan Mabromata

(Reuters) - Argentina striker Lionel Messi confessed on Sunday that he worries about contracting COVID-19, a day before he kicks off another Copa America with the national side amid a spate of infections among rival teams.

Players or officials from Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela tested positive for the virus even before the South American tournament kicked off on Sunday evening in Brasilia.