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Lionel Messi is hopeful that his former enemy, Cristiano Ronaldo, can take part in Barcelona’s Champions League clash against Juventus despite testing positive for coronavirus.
The 35-year-old forward has often led the way for the Turin giants and continued to defy his age, but may be absent from the delicious clash due to throwing a second positive test for the disease.
Juventus are struggling to make sure Ronaldo is available for selection should a final test prove negative, and Messi also seems eager to face him again in another “special” showdown.
He told DAZN: ‘Obviously, when Cristiano played for Real Madrid, the games were special. The matches against them are always [special], but with Cristiano on the field they took on a special meaning. ‘
Ronaldo had doubts even though he initially contracted the virus while on international duty on October 13.
A mandatory period of quarantine began immediately and he was forced to miss Juventus’ matches against Crotone and Dynamo Kiev while completing the quarantine.
Andrea Pirlo’s team host Barcelona next Wednesday, and Ronaldo did a second test in hopes of being able to return and add another exciting chapter to his encounters with Messi.
However, the former Manchester United player soon found out that he still had Covid-19, putting his place in the game in grave jeopardy.
When asked about his rivalry with Ronaldo during his trophy-laden days in Madrid, Messi added: ‘That’s in the past and we look forward to today’s challenges.
On Wednesday there could be this challenge and we hope that Cristiano can be there and soon recovers from Covid.
‘Cristiano’s men were and are a special duel that will last forever. They last for many years and it is not easy to maintain those levels for that long.
Our teams were also very demanding: Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two strongest clubs in the world.
“Competing as equals for so many years is something that will last forever. The duel between Cristiano and I was very good on a personal level and I think people enjoyed it.
‘The fans of Real, of Barça, but in general all football fans, have seen a great show. We hope to give you even more excitement. [on Wednesday].
The fierce debate over which of the two superstars can claim the title of best player in the world, and perhaps in history, continues.
Both have won 11 Ballons d’Or between them, though Messi narrowly leads the way with a record six.
Juventus hope that UEFA will grant them permission to test Cristiano once more 48 hours before the European tie. The organization’s protocols mean that the player must have tested negative one week before the match in order to participate.
But his club has submitted a medical report to UEFA arguing that Ronaldo’s test showed a low viral load which, provided his test result on Friday is negative, should allow him to play.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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