Juventus’ Daniele Rugani says he is ‘fine’ after contracting coronavirus

Defender became first Serie A player to test positive for the disease

Daniele Rugani of Juventus (Getty)

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani said he was fine on Thursday, shortly after his club said he had tested positive for coronavirus, the first player in Serie A to do so.

The Turin side are one of Europe’s biggest clubs with a squad that includes five-time world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo is currently in his native Madeira.

“You’ve read the news, so I want to reassure everyone who’s worried about me, I’m fine,” Rugani said on Twitter.

“I urge everyone to respect the rules, because this virus makes no distinction!

“Let’s do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us.”

Rugani, who is not a regular first team player, has made seven appearances this season, including two in February.

He was on the bench for Sunday’s game against Inter Milan.

A source close to Juventus said the entire squad will have to spend two weeks in quarantine.

That would mean they would not be able to face Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie on 17 March.

Reuters