By a staff reporter
Ronaldo had scored three goals in his two starts for Juventus, leading his team to a 3-0 victory over Sampdoria and a 2-2 draw with Roma. But on October 13, while on international duty with Portugal, Ronaldo first tested positive for Covid-19.
Ronaldo flew back to Turin in a private air ambulance a few days later. He missed one game for his country and four Juventus fixtures after he started self-isolating with his family at home. Fan-favorite Messi vs Ronaldo arguments around the world never slows down and it was time for another battle between them in the UCL.
There were expectations that he would be fit to return to the Champions League against Barcelona, but the 35-year-old tested positive again ahead of the match. Fans were deprived of a Messi-Ronaldo showdown, and it was Barcelona who took the match 2-0 with Messi’s spot-kick and Ronaldo isolated at home. Without Ronaldo, Juventus appeared toothless.
A couple of days after the match, Juventus announced on Friday that Ronaldo had recovered from the virus and returned with a negative result. He had uploaded several videos on his social media pages when he was in isolation, showing himself working out and staying fit from home like he always does. Juventus’ decline in form in his absence has already sparked non-sensory speculation of Pirlo’s eventual departure.
After 19 days wait, Ronaldo was finally named in the squad list that was going to face Spezia. The Portuguese forward returned to the pitch in style, motivating Juventus to a 4-1 victory over Spezia on Sunday. With the score tied at 1-1, Ronaldo came on as a second-half replacement but turned the game around by scoring two goals in the space of 20 minutes.
His first goal came only three minutes from his introduction, as he smartly rounded off goalkeeper Ivan Provedel and slotted into an empty net. His second came from a Panenka as he converted from 12 yards after Chiesa was brought down in the box. Ronaldo then started in another match in Serie-A against Ferencvarosi TC. He wasn’t on the scoresheet but assisted Juventus’ second scored by Alvaro Morata.
Things seemed pretty rough for Juventus in the absence of Ronaldo but they look to have found their form as their talisman is back.
