Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for coronavirus

The 35-year-old experienced no symptoms and has left Portugal’s training group to self-isolate

Ronaldo experienced no symptoms of the disease (AFP via Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Portuguese Football Federation has announced. 

The 35-year-old has left Portugal’s training group, where he had been preparing for a Nations League match with Sweden on Wednesday evening, and has begun a period of self-isolation at home.

Ronaldo experienced no symptoms and posted a photograph on social media on Monday evening showing himself having dinner together with the rest of the Portuguese squad. “Together on and off the field!” the caption read.

However the entire squad was tested following their captain’s positive result and all came back negative. 

Ronaldo played in both of Portugal’s first two games over the international break, starting against Spain in Lisbon before playing the entire Nations League match against France in Paris on the weekend.

Ronaldo will miss Juventus’s Serie A match against Crutone on Saturday as well as their first Champions League date with Dinamo Kiev, but he should be available for a meeting with his old rival Lionel Messi when Juve play Barcelona in Turin on 28 October. 

In a statement, the Portuguese Football Federation said: "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 [manager] Fernando Santos for training this afternoon.”