90min

Cristiano Ronaldo Hopeful of Facing Barcelona in Champions League Later This Month

By Jamie Spencer

Cristiano Ronaldo is optimistic of a short layoff despite testing positive for coronavirus
Cristiano Ronaldo is optimistic of a short layoff despite testing positive for coronavirus / Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images
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Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be hopeful of facing Barcelona in the Champions League in two weeks’ time, despite his positive test for coronavirus on Tuesday.

Ronaldo returned a positive test after appearing for Portugal against France in the UEFA Nations League at the start of the week and immediately went into isolation to prevent spreading the virus.

When the Portuguese Football Federation announced that Ronaldo had withdrawn from the squad to isolate following his positive test, it was confirmed the 35-year-old was asymptomatic.

While he was automatically ruled out of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League clash with Sweden, attention immediately turned to Juventus’ upcoming fixture list – that includes the Champions League meeting with Barcelona and a reunion for Ronaldo with former La Liga rival Lionel Messi.

The game against Messi’s Barcelona takes place in Turin on Wednesday 28 October.

Ronaldo stands to face Lionel Messi for the first time since 2018
Ronaldo stands to face Lionel Messi for the first time since 2018 / David Ramos/Getty Images

While a 14-day quarantine is required in Italy if a person has been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case, allowing for the maximum known incubation, someone who has tested positive can leave isolation sooner if they have remained asymptomatic and can provide a negative test.

It means that Ronaldo, who had not developed symptoms when he was tested, could potentially return to training in time to face Barcelona if his body is able to shake traces of the virus relatively quickly and provide the negative test to prove that he is no longer a transmission threat.

A report from El Chiringuito claims that Ronaldo is feeling fine, despite having the virus, and is optimistic that he will be able to play against Barcelona.

Prior to that game, Juve are also due to face Crotone, Dynamo Kyiv and Hellas Verona.

Ronaldo has started his third season at Juventus by scoring three goals across the two Serie A games the club has played so far, including both in a 2-2 draw with AS Roma last time out.

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