Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for the coronavirus. The Portuguese forward is reportedly asymptomatic and is out of Portugal’s match against Sweden. Both the sides are facing each other behind closed doors in the group C game of UEFA Nations League in Lisbon on Wednesday night.
Ronaldo earlier posted a photo on social media before the news was announced, having dinner with Portuguese teammates.
Ronaldo was seen sitting close to former Real Madrid team-mate Pepe and Sergio Oliveira, Daniel Podence and Joao Cancelo. Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes is also in the squad.
Portugal's Football Federation confirmed that the Portuguese player will play no part in the game. The federation said Ronaldo's result prompted another round of tests for the rest of the Portugal squad. It said everyone else in the team tested negative.
"Cristiano Ronaldo was released from the work of the National Team after a positive test for COVID-19, so he will not face Sweden. The Portuguese international is doing well, without symptoms, and in isolation. Following the positive case, the remaining players underwent new tests this Tuesday morning, all with a negative result, and are available to Fernando Santos for training this afternoon," read its statement.
Ronaldo last featured for Portugal in Sunday's goal-less draw against France in Paris on Sunday and played full 90 minutes in the game. Before that, he also featured against Spain in Lisbon on Thursday.
During the game against France on Sunday night, Ronaldo was seen shaking hands with a number of top stars including Kylian Mbappe at full-time, while Eduardo Camavinga swapped shirts with the Portugal star and later posted to say that he 'wouldn't wash it'.
The news already did damage to his Italian club Juventus, who saw their shares fall as much as 6.9% in Milan trading after the news.
