90min

Cristiano Ronaldo Set to Miss Barcelona Game After Testing Positive for COVID-19 Again

By Tom Gott

Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for COVID-19
Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for COVID-19 / MB Media/Getty Images
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Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for COVID-19 a second time and is set to be sidelined for the visit of Barcelona on 28 October.

Ronaldo first tested positive during the international break, but he was hopeful of recovering in time to come face to face with Lionel Messi for the first time since his departure from Real Madrid back in 2018.

Ronaldo was one of many players to test positive during the international break
Ronaldo was one of many players to test positive during the international break / Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

Unfortunately, Correio da Manhã note that Ronaldo has tested positive for the second time, and as UEFA's protocol states that a player must test negative seven days before a game to be able to compete in it, that means he will likely not be playing against Barcelona.

However, it is noted that the test detected a weak strain of COVID-19 in Ronaldo - so weak that it is no longer contagious - so Juventus are ready to appeal to UEFA to try and get him back in time for the match.

They hope that UEFA will agree to let him take a test 48 hours before the game and permit him to play if he tests negative.

As it stands, Ronaldo is set to miss the Barcelona game and will also miss Juventus' meeting with Genoa on Sunday.

Ronaldo's behaviour after his first positive diagnosis attracted criticism. He was away in Portugal at the time but flew back to Italy to isolate, attracting the fury of Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora.

Both Juve and Ronaldo have hit back at claims it was irresponsible, insisting his return flight was done safely and he has not come into contact with anyone since arriving back in Italy.

Andrea Pirlo must find a way to cope without Ronaldo
Andrea Pirlo must find a way to cope without Ronaldo / DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Juventus have been without Ronaldo for their last two games, with the Portugal international missing a 1-1 draw with Crotone and the recent 3-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League.

Manager Andrea Pirlo opted to move winger Dejan Kulusevski into a central striker role last time out, with the Swede joining Álvaro Morata at the top of the team. Paulo Dybala also joined the fun as a second-half substitute and he will likely be battling with Kulusevski for a spot in the starting lineup in Ronaldo's absence.

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