Cristiano Ronaldo in high spirits despite positive Covid test as he gives the thumbs-up while watching Portugal team-mates train from his balcony in Lisbon camp
- Cristiano Ronaldo tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday afternoon
- The 35-year-old is asymptomatic and is self-isolating at Portugal’s team base
- The Portugal captain will miss the Nations League game against Sweden
- Ronaldo smiled for the cameras as he watched team-mates train from balcony
Cristiano Ronaldo appeared in fine spirits watching his Portugal team-mates train on Tuesday evening at their training base after testing positive for coronavirus.
The 35-year-old is asymptomatic and is self-isolating in the national team’s Oeiras base on the outskirts of Lisbon – and will miss Portugal’s Nations League clash against Sweden on Wednesday night.
But Ronaldo smiled for the cameras and gestured with his thumbs up as he watched his team-mates train from the balcony of his room at the team complex, after the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed his positive test.
Cristiano Ronaldo has his thumbs up as he watches his team-mates train on Tuesday evening
The Portugal captain is asymptomatic and is currently self-isolating on the outskirts of Lisbon
Ronaldo (bottom left) poses for a photo with his team-mates just hours before the news broke
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner played for Portugal against France in the Nations League and Spain in an international friendlies last week, meaning that he has come into recent contact with a host of football’s top stars.
During the game against France on Sunday night, Ronaldo was seen shaking hands and with a number of top stars including PSG’s Kylian Mbappe.
Ronaldo played all 90 minutes of the game at the Stade de France in Paris, which ended goalless.
There is concern for his international team-mates after Ronaldo posed for a picture with them just hours before the news was announced, with the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star smiling for a selfie at dinner.
Ronaldo immediately left the national team after returning his positive test and is now a doubt for forthcoming Juventus matches.
Ronaldo’s result prompted another round of tests for the rest of the squad, who all tested negative.
The 35-year-old will miss the game versus Sweden and could miss upcoming Juventus games
Ronaldo was at close quarters with France’s Kylian Mbappe against France on Sunday
Ronaldo shook hands with his manager (left) and embraced his team-mate Joao Felix (right) after being substituted in the game against Spain last Wednesday
The French squad has also tested negative, but new infections can take a few days to detect.
Ronaldo’s positive test comes shortly after two of his Portuguese team-mates also tested positive for Covid-19.
Earlier in the international break, Anthony Lopes and Jose Fonte had contracted the virus and were also immediately sent away from the group.
Mere minutes after the announcement was made, Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez posted a picture to Instagram which appeared to show the Portugal superstar in good spirits during a FaceTime call with her.
Alongside the snap, she wrote ‘You are my inspiration @Cristiano.’
Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez immediately posted a picture that appeared to show her on a FaceTime call with the player, calling him ‘my inspiration’
Ronaldo puts an arm around Real Madrid and France defender Raphael Varane on Sunday
Ronaldo’s test result now makes him a doubt for Juventus’ Champions League group match with Barcelona on October 28, which was set to pit him against his old rival Lionel Messi.
Juventus had been in isolation following positive tests for two staff members, but Ronaldo and six others were allowed to leave the isolated group and join their national teams.
However, Italian health authorities have signalled that the players’ departure was a breach of protocol and said that local prosecutors have been informed.