LISBONNE, Portugal (AFP) – Portugal and Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was said to be “fine and sunbathing” on Tuesday after testing positive for coronavirus which has ruled him out of a midweek Nations League fixture with his country.
Ronaldo “is asymptomatic” and “will not play against Sweden” in Wednesday’s Nations League match, the Portuguese federation said on its website.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner played in Portugal’s goalless Nations League draw against France in Paris on Sunday.
The federation added that the rest of the Portugal squad were “all negative” after tests on Tuesday morning, as was the France squad, according to the French Football Federation.
“We have respected all the health measures…and yet it happened,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos told a press conference. “We have been doing tests every day.”
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini said he had spoken to Ronaldo.
“He’s fine and was sunbathing, he’ll be back when he’s ready,” he reported.
The 35-year-old striker has scored 101 goals for Portugal and will be a huge absence for his team against Sweden as they aim to hold on to top spot in their group.
His contracting the disease is also a blow for Juventus, as the health protocol in force for Serie A says Ronaldo must self-isolate for 10 days and then record a negative test before he can resume playing.
That means Ronaldo will miss Juve’s Serie A match at Crotone on Saturday and their opening Champions League group stage game at Dynamo Kiev in a week’s time.
He also risks missing Juve’s Champions League clash with Barcelona on October 28, which was set to pit Ronaldo against his old rival Lionel Messi.
Chiellini said “we footballers know we take risks, and we are ready to take them, trying to minimise them as much as possible with all the necessary precautions.
“We must move forward because we know that football is important economically, and for the social value. In the coming weeks there will be other closures, and I believe football is important to people.
“The real victory is to finish the season, the result is secondary.”
