Pepe Reina: Aston Villa goalkeeper ‘ran out of oxygen for 25 minutes’ while battling coronavirus

Former Liverpool goalkeeper recovering from what he called ‘the worst moments of my life’

Pepe Reina, the Aston Villa goalkeeper, has revealed how he “could no longer breathe” and endured “ran out of oxygen” for 25 minutes while battling coronavirus.

The 37-year-old, on loan at Villa Park from Napoli, is recovering after experiencing what he called “the worst moments of my life” in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.

“It is only now that I am winning the battle against coronavirus,” he said, having first identified symptoms associated with Covid-19 two weeks ago.

“I was very tired after experiencing the first symptoms of the virus. A fever, dry cough and a headache that never went away. It was just that constant feeling of tiredness.”

Reina, who made 396 appearances during an eight-year spell at Liverpool, revealed how he even struggled for breath during his worst bouts of illness.

“The most difficult moment was when I could no longer breathe, the 25 minutes I ran out of oxygen. It was the worst moments of my life.

“The only real fear I had was when I understood there was no oxygen: endless minutes of fear, as if suddenly my throat had closed. As a result I spent the first six or eight days indoors.”

Reina is now recovering at home with his family and is in to rush to resume the Premier League campaign, which was suspended due to the virus last month.

“Football takes a back seat. I don’t care much, really,” he said. “Everyone’s well-being goes above anything else.

“I will be a supporter of playing when everything is in the best conditions, that everyone is safe. Football cannot be a priority right now. It is not important to finish this league.”