Sergi Roberto Archives - Naija Premium Gist

Barcelona full-back Sergi Roberto tests positive for coronavirus

December 2, 2020 No Comments

The Spain international will be forced to spend the next 10 days in quarantine after being diagnosed with Covid-19.

Barcelona full-back Sergi Roberto has tested positive for coronavirus, the club have confirmed on Wednesday.

Roberto had been enjoying a prominent role in Ronald Koeman’s squad before being forced off the pitch with a thigh injury during Barca’s 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on November 21.

The 28-year-old is not expected to return to action until the new year, but has been dealt a setback in his recovery after contracting Covid-19.

Barca revealed that Roberto posted a positive test following their latest round of medical checks, with the defender now set to remain in quarantine for the next 10 days.

“After the PCR tests carried out this Tuesday, the first-team player Sergi Roberto has tested positive for Covid-19,” a statement on the club’s official website reads.

“The footballer is in good health and is isolated at home as he continues his recovery from the injury that he suffered on November 21.

“The club has informed the relevant sports and health authorities. In addition, all the people who had contact with the player have been traced to carry out the corresponding PCR tests.

“It should be remembered that Roberto suffered a tear in the rectus femoris in his right thigh at the end of the Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona game, an injury for which he will be away from the pitch for approximately two months.”

Roberto missed Barca’s 4-0 victory away at Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League last Tuesday, before also sitting out their home win over Osasuna by the same scoreline five days later.

The Spain international will be unavailable when Koeman takes his side to Hungary to take on Ferencvaros in midweek, and looks set to miss the entire festive period as he bids to rid himself of coronavirus before getting back to his rehabilitation programme at Camp Nou.

Barca can secure top spot in Group G if they beat Ferencvaros, having already booked their place in the round of 16, before their focus shifts back to La Liga.

The Blaugrana are due to take in a trip to Cadiz this weekend, which they must win to stay in touch with early pacesetters Real Sociedad and Atletico.

‘Messi is fired up and working his socks off’ – Sergi Roberto sees ‘desire’ in Barcelona talisman

A Camp Nou colleague of the mercurial Argentine claims to have seen no dip from the South American on the back of his efforts to leave the club

Lionel Messi may have wanted out of Barcelona over the summer but he is now “fired up” and “working his socks off” for the good of the collective cause at Camp Nou, says Sergi Roberto.

A testing end to the 2019-20 campaign saw the six-time Ballon d’Or winner push for the exits in Catalunya.

Messi had grown disillusioned with life at the only club side he has represented in a remarkable career to date.

A path leading elsewhere was to be blocked off, though, and the decision was ultimately taken to stay put and honour the final year of his contract – with that revelation made in an exclusive interview with Goal.

There was never any danger of Messi downing tools at Barca, with competitive spirit very much part of his makeup.

The 33-year-old has helped the Blaugrana, who are now working under the guidance of Ronald Koeman, to make a positive start to the 2020-21 season, with back-to-back La Liga wins collected from meetings with Villarreal and Celta Vigo.

Roberto sees a talismanic figure giving his all in the pursuit of major honours, telling reporters after a 3-0 victory over Celta: “Leo is really fired up, he ran so much and worked his socks off for the team. It’s important that he’s playing with so much desire.”

Messi was disappointed to see Barca sanction a move to Atletico Madrid for Luis Suarez, but he has found another productive partner in 17-year-old Ansu Fati.

The highly-rated youngster was on target again in his latest outing, with Roberto adding: “Ansu is young, playing, scoring goals and I’m really happy for him, I hope he continues doing that.”

Positivity is starting to flow again at Camp Nou, with Koeman helping to banish the memories of a humbling 8-2 Champions League defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich which brought Barca’s 2019-20 campaign and the reign of Quique Setien to a close.

Roberto said of the current mood: “You can see how united we are. We showed it in the first game and again [versus Celta].

“We couldn’t go into games like we were.

“We worked really hard in pre-season, in every training session and you can see that in the games.”

Barca – who have been drawn alongside Juventus, Dynamo Kiev and Ferencvaros in the Champions League group stage – will be back in action on Sunday when playing host to Sevilla.