Real Madrid striker reportedly tests positive for COVID-19

Updated 28 Jul, 2020

Real Madrid’s Champions League preparations turned in chaos as a squad member reportedly tested positive for novel coronavirus.

The La Liga champions were planning to return to training this week after undergoing mandatory COVID-19 test.

As per Spanish radio network Onda Cero are reporting the member of Zinedine Zidane's squad has returned a positive Covid-19 test and is now in quarantine at home.

Media outlets in Spain suggest that the player is 26-year-old striker Mariano Diaz but the club are yet to confirm the player's identity.

Later the club released the statement confirming that the player is COVID-19 positive.

The Spanish giants are due to play the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie at the Etihad Stadium on August 7.

The player will now have to undertake a two-week quarantine period, ruling them out of the game against the Premier League side.

It comes just over a week after Real wrapped up their LaLiga campaign, which followed a strict set of protocols to ensure the season could be concluded in wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Real won the LaLiga title but face an uphill task to eliminate City for the Champions League. Pep Guardiola's side hold a 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg at the Bernabeu in March.

Read Comments