Ronaldo cleared of COVID-19, expected to return Sunday vs. Spezia

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from COVID-19 after more than two weeks in quarantine, the club confirmed Friday.

The 35-year-old is now expected to rejoin his teammates ahead of Sunday’s Serie A match against newly promoted Spezia.

However, he may have to wait a bit longer to return to play in the Champions League. UEFA rules stipulate that a player must return a negative test result at least a week before a European match. Juventus face Hungarian side Ferencvaros next Wednesday.

Ronaldo initially tested positive Oct. 13 while on international duty with Portugal, reporting no symptoms. He returned to Italy a day later to self-isolate at his home in Turin.

Italy’s sports minister, Vincenzo Spadafora, said Ronaldo had broken the country’s COVID-19 protocol by joining his international teammates in the first place. Juventus said their first team had entered “fiduciary isolation” days Oct. 3, just before the international break, after two members of the club’s non-playing staff tested positive for COVID-19.

Juventus and Ronaldo denied Spadafora’s claims, saying they followed health regulations.

Ronaldo missed four matches for Juventus, including the 2-0 loss to Lionel Messi and Barcelona in midweek Champions League action.