Many high-profile names in football have been announced to have contracted Coronavirus since its rapid spread began. Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi were the first notable ones in the Premier League, which other clubs have since confirmed cases without revealing names of those affected.
Aston Villa kept their news even quieter, but on-loan goalkeeper Pepe Reina has since spoken about his time with the virus in an interview with Corriere dello Sport, translated in a piece by The National‘s Dominic Hart.
Pepe Reina Speaks About Coronavirus
‘It Was the Worst Moments of My Life’
In an interview with the Italian newspaper, the former Liverpool goalkeeper said: “The only real fear I had was when I understood that there was no oxygen: endless minutes of fear, as if suddenly my throat had closed.
“The most difficult moment was when I could no longer breathe, the 25 minutes I ran out of oxygen. It was the worst moments of my life.”
Pepe Reina Took All Necessary Precautions
“I was very tired after experiencing the first symptoms of the virus,” the AC Milan loanee continued.
“A fever, dry cough and a headache that never left me – it was just that constant feeling of tiredness.
“It was my turn to go through the bug. It has been a different week, of taking precautions not to infect the people who live with me.
“I don’t miss the company as it’s me, my wife Yolanda, five children and two in-laws. The house is big and loneliness has no access to my home.
“I am winning the battle against coronavirus only now.”
‘Football Cannot Be a Priority Right Now’
The Premier League has announced that it will be at least April 30 until football can resume. The likelihood is, though, that that date will constantly be pushed back.
Many ways of completing the season are being touted, but Reina believes that football must take a back seat in this situation, insisting that people’s health is of a far greater concern.
He said: “Football takes a back seat. I don’t care much, really. Everyone’s well-being goes above anything else. I will be a supporter of playing when everything is in the best conditions, that everyone is safe.
“Football cannot be a priority right now. It is not important to finish this league. I know and am aware of all the interests that exist around soccer, especially economic ones. But there are also many other areas, and right now the first thing is people’s health.
“April 30 as an option for the Premier to return seems to me that it will not be a real date and I think we are going to go much further.”
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