Juventus and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
The 35-year-old is understood to not be showing any symptoms and has been sent home from international duty to self-isolate.
Portugal face Sweden in a Nations League Group C game on Wednesday 14 October.
Ronaldo ‘doing well, without symptoms’
Ronaldo is the only member of the team to have tested positive after having played in both of the national team’s fixtures during the international break, playing the full 90 minutes of Portugal’s goalless draw with France in Paris on Sunday, and also featuring against Spain in Lisbon last Thursday.
A statement from the Portuguese football federation on Tuesday 13 October read: ‘Cristiano Ronaldo was released from the squad 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,” they added.
“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.”
Fellow Portugal stars test negative
With Ronaldo the only positive test to have been returned, it is expected that the Premier League will be able to welcome back its full compliment of Portuguese stars for the upcoming fixtures this weekend.
Manchester United will breath a heavy sigh of relief after their current talisman Bruno Fernandes tested negative after Ronaldo’s positive COVID-19 test. This means that Fernandes will not have to self-isolate and will be able to return to his club ahead of their clash with Newcastle on Saturday.
Ronaldo’s Juventus teammates Blaise Matuidi, Paulo Dybala and Daniele Rugani tested positive for the virus earlier on in the year.
Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara and Man City duo Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez have also tested positive in the last few month.
