CRISTIANO RONALDO has left Portugal in an air ambulance to continue his self-isolation at his Turin home after testing positive for coronavirus.
The 35-year-old’s jet left Tires Airport in Cascais near Lisbon around 1.45pm local time.
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for coronavirusCredit: EPA
Ronaldo is travelling back to Italy onboard a private ambulance planeCredit: European Air Ambulance
He was taken to the municipal airstrip from the Portuguese training camp base in nearby Oeiras by ambulance.
He is understood to be travelling in a Bombardier Learjet 45XR LX-ONE which is specially equipped to fly him following his Covid positive test.
It is operated by Luxembourg Air Rescue which specialises in offering repatriations of those who have suffered illnesses or accidents abroad and need to get back home.
It had been reported earlier in the day he wanted to fly back to Italy.
He was pictured on Tuesday giving the thumbs-up from a balcony at his room at the Portuguese training camp.
His positive coronavirus test put him out of tonight’s Uefa Nations League match against Sweden.
There has not been any official comment from the Portuguese FA on Ronaldo’s departure, although it’s understood he requested and received permission to travel.
Earlier today, Portuguese sports analyst Rui Pedro Braz, referring to Jose Fontes and Anthony Lopes who are the other two Portuguese internationals to have tested positive for coronavirus so far, said: “It’s up to Cristiano to decide whether he travels to Turin or remains in Portugal.
Ronaldo departed Portugal in a Bombardier Learjet 45XR LX-ONECredit: European Air Ambulance
“Jose Fonte tested positive for Covid and travelled to Lille and Anthony Lopes tested positive and travelled to Lyon.
“Cristiano Ronaldo believes that if he tests positive a third time he’ll want to travel to Turin.”
Portugal manager Fernando Santos claimed before the Juventus star left his homeland that Ronaldo was desperate to play after being forced to sit out tonight’s clash against Sweden.
Speaking while the team star was still at the Portuguese training camp, he said in an update on the footballer’s condition: “He is managing the situation very well.
“He is in the room, saying he wants to play, he talks to us from his balcony.
“He is completely asymptomatic, he is OK, without any symptoms, he doesn’t even know what happened to him.”
The plane Ronaldo left on was pictured and his departure filmed live on TV, but it is not thought anyone managed to obtain any clear shots of the footballer.
Plane operator European Air Ambulance describes itself as offering “bed-to-bed services for worldwide missions” on its website.
It says: “European Air Ambulance is one of the largest specialised air ambulance service providers in Europe offering worldwide air ambulance repatriation with outstanding end-to-end patient care.
“All missions are staffed with a medical team consisting of a specialised physician and a flight nurse.
“We are ready to take off day and night, 365 days a year.”
Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodriguez has labelled the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as her ‘inspiration’ following his positive test.
Uploading a screenshot of a Whatsapp video call between them alongside the message: “You are my inspiration” and a heart emoji.
Italian media have revealed that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Ronaldo remains on a £28million-a-year salary at Juventus.
This is equal to or more than the squad bill at FOUR Serie A teams.
And Ronaldo also earns four time more than the second highest-paid player in the Italian top-flight.
Georgina Rodriguez reacted to news of her partner’s positive coronavirus test by sharing a screenshot of a video call between themCredit: Instagram / @georginagio
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
