Cristiano Ronaldo might have to wait a little longer for a reunion with Lionel Messi.
For the first time ever, the two titans of world football have been paired in the same Champions League group and fans were excited about the prospect of the duo sharing the same pitch again at this stage of their careers.
Their last meeting was a 2-2 draw in El Clasico back in May 2018, a couple of months before Ronaldo completed a £99 million switch to Juventus.
Juventus and Barcelona are slated to meet in Turin on October 28 but Ronaldo's positive COVID-19 test while on international duty with Portugal means he is unlikely to feature.
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News of his result emerged on Tuesday and saw the five-time Ballon d'Or winner released from training and unavailable for selection against Sweden in tonight's UEFA Nations League fixture.
Ronaldo is asymptomatic but rules stipulate that he must self-isolate for a period of two weeks, as per The Mirror.
Incidentally, his isolation ends the day before the Juventus-Barcelona fixture but the 35-year-old must be totally free of coronavirus for at least a week before he is allowed to return.
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He will no doubt be doing his own individual training at home in the meantime but it is touch and go as to whether the latest chapter in the storied Messi and Ronaldo rivalry will take place.
It's most likely that fans will have to wait for the showdown at the Nou Camp on 8 December.
Ronaldo started the current campaign with three goals in his first two matches in Serie A under new boss Andrea Pirlo before the home game against Napoli was postponed 45 minutes before kick-off after two visiting players and one staff member tested positive for coronavirus.
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The former Real Madrid superstar will be sidelined for the game against Crotone this weekend, as well as the first Champions League game against Dynamo Kyiv on October 20.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Portugal, Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo, Covid-19
