Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for Covid-19 just 15 days before his Juventus side take on Barcelona in the group stages of the 2020-21 Champions League.
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed the news in an official statement on Tuesday ahead of their Nations League fixture against Sweden on Wednesday:
“Cristiano Ronaldo was released from training with the national team after a positive test for Covid-19, so he will not face Sweden.
“The Portugal international is doing well, without symptoms, and in isolation.
“Following the positive test, the remaining players underwent new tests on Tuesday morning, and all produced a negative result and are available to Fernando Santos for training this afternoon.”
Ronaldo will now obviously miss Portugal’s fixture and must isolate for 10 days. The forward also looks set to sit out Juventus’ forthcoming fixtures against Crotone on Saturday in Serie A and Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League in a week’s time.
Juventus are due to host Barcelona in Europe’s elite competition on October 28 in Turin, but it remains to be seen yet if Ronaldo will be available for the visit of Ronald Koeman’s side.
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Ronaldo ‘Banned’ for Barcelona?
UEFA protocol suggests Ronaldo may well be ruled out of the Barcelona clash, according to Football Italia. Rules state players must have tested negative for Covid-19 at least seven days before a match.
“Participants from Group 1 or Group 2 who have verified confirmation that they have now recovered from the virus are invited to submit documentation of this to the UPAP, including the date of diagnosis of the virus, complete relevant medical history and any other medical documents in this context e.g. SARS-CoV-2-RNA test or any other laboratory tests,” reads the protocol published by UEFA.
“This must be provided at least one week before the team’s next UEFA match.”
Ronaldo has been on international duty with Portugal and featured in the friendly draw with Spain on Wednesday, coming off late in the match. He also played the whole 90 minutes of Sunday’s goalless stalemate with world champions France on Sunday.
The Juventus attacker posted a selfie of himself with his team-mates on Monday night with a caption that read: “United on and off the field!”
Yet Portugal’s statement confirms there have been no further positive tests within the squad that also includes Barcelona forward Francisco Trincao. The 21-year-old moved to the club over the summer from Braga and has been a substitute in all three of their La Liga games in 2020-21.
Doubts Over Ronaldo’s Fitness
Doubts have already been raised about whether Ronaldo will face Barcelona. Both teams will be expected to progress from Group G, which also contains Ferencvaros and Dynamo Kiev, and the games between the two teams are likely to decide top spot.
Mind: in exactly 15 days Cristiano Ronaldo v Messi was due to be on in Juventus-Barcelona.
Almost surely Cristiano Ronaldo won’t make it on time
Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for #coronavirus. Must now be doubtful for Juventus’ Champions League group game at home to Barcelona on October 28th… #FCB
Breaking: Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for #COVID19. In doubt for Juve-Barcelona in two weeks.
Ronaldo had started the season in typically prolific form. He has six goals and an assist in five games for club and country in 2020-21. Indeed the former Real Madrid man netted a double last time out for Juventus in a 2-2 draw with Roma.
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Ronaldo to Miss Barcelona UCL Tie After Positive Covid-19 Test?