International sports
Ronaldo to miss Barcelona match after latest Covid-19 test
Cristiano Ronaldo criticised the Covid-19 testing system as Juventus left him out of the squad for the Champions League game against Barcelona.
The 35-year-old has been self-isolating since a positive result for the virus on 13 October, and had another test before Wednesday’s match.
The Italian club would not comment on whether he tested positive again.
Ronaldo said he was “feeling healthy” on social media and then lambasted the PCR test.
The result from a PCR test reveals whether someone currently has the virus or not.
The ex-Real Madrid player was set to face Barcelona forward and rival Lionel Messi for the first time since 2018.
Ronaldo last played in Portugal’s 0-0 draw with France on 11 October.
Juventus will also be without defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Matthijs de Ligt for the game in Turin, while Leonardo Bonucci and Paulo Dybala will be assessed.
The 1995-96 Champions League winners beat Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in their opening game of this year’s group stage.
Barcelona are set to be missing midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who injured his left hamstring in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid in La Liga.
The length of the 28-year-old’s absence will “depend on how the injury evolves”, according to Barca.
Barcelona beat Ferencvaros 5-1 in their opening Champions League group match.
