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Worrying image emerges after Cristiano Ronaldo's positive Covid test

Pictured here, Cristiano Ronaldo enjoying a meal with Portugal teammates.

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for COVID-19, Portugal's Football Federation says.

The 35-year-old Juventus striker will miss Wednesday's UEFA Nations League game against Sweden but is "well, has no symptoms and is in isolation", the federation said.

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The federation added that the rest of the Portugal squad had undergone tests as a result of Ronaldo's positive, but that they had all tested negative and would be available for the Sweden match.

Five-times world player of the year Ronaldo appeared in his side's 0-0 draw away to France in the Nations League on Sunday and Wednesday's 0-0 draw in a friendly at home to Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo is seen here playing with Juventus.
The Juventus star left Turin to join up with his Portugal teammates. Pic: Getty

Ronaldo started against Spain in Lisbon, coming off late on during the second half of the goalless draw, and then played the whole of the Nations League A3 fixture against France in Saint-Denis on Sunday.

Portugal chiefs insist the rest of the squad are "all negative", with the French Football Federation stating likewise after tests on Tuesday.

However, the saga has thrust Ronaldo's departure from his Italian club Juventus into the spotlight.

Ronaldo left Turin to join up with the Portugal training camp in a move that Italian health officials deemed a violation of virus protocol.

It comes as two staff members at Juventus have also tested positive for coronavirus.

Perhaps more alarming was a photo that Ronaldo took when he joined his Portugal teammates in camp, with the whole squad packed together at a table enjoying a meal.

"Not much social distancing at the Portugal team meal yesterday", Associated Press football correspondent Rob Harris tweeted.

Ronaldo doubtful for a number of big games

Ronaldo will now be doubtful for Juve's Serie A trip to Crotone on Saturday and their Champions League group stage opening game away to Dynamo Kiev next Tuesday.

Juventus also have a Champions League match against Barcelona in 15 days, but with a 10-day isolation period in Italy, he will be racing the clock to feature in it.

Neither Juve nor Ronaldo have so far commented on the positive test.

The football world was quick to wish the 35-year-old a speedy recovery.

with agencies

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