Juventus

Former Chelsea full-back Paulo Ferreira has said Cristiano Ronaldo can "definitely" play until he is 40.

Ferreira played alongside Ronaldo for Portugal before hanging up his international boots in 2010. He subsequently retired from playing completely in 2013 and has watched on as Ronaldo has added numerous titles to his already packed trophy cabinet at Real Madrid and Juventus.

Ferreira does not see any prospect of Ronaldo slowing down soon if he stays fit, per Nizaar Kinsella of Goal:

"I've known Cristiano for a long time. His attitude, how professional he is, how hard he works—they are all outstanding. Until his body doesn't allow him to play anymore, he will stay at this level. And I think he will last for four or five years more.

"He is still an important player who everyone respects. He is still feared because he can decide a game. I saw him develop, of course. I played with and against him from the time he was 18, and he deserves to still be at this level for everything he has achieved and all the work he has put in.

"To still be playing at this level at 35, you have to look after yourself. You need to work hard, rest and eat properly. He does all that, so when he says he can go on until 40, I agree. Let's see how his body handles it, but if he doesn't get injuries, then he can definitely do it."

Now 35, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner continues to be one of the most devastating attacking players in Europe.

Only two players in Europe's top five leagues, Lazio's Ciro Immobile and Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski, have scored more league goals than Ronaldo in 2019-20.

The former Manchester United star has netted 21 times for Juventus in Serie A this term and recently scored in 11 consecutive league games:

Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored in 11 straight matches -- equaling the Serie A record 👏 pic.twitter.com/1RevMRhCr6

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 22, 2020

That run ended in Juve's 2-0 win over Inter Milan on March 8, which put the Old Lady back on top of Serie A:

This is the standing after Matchday 26.
#SerieATIM #WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/CXXMV1h77I

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 9, 2020

It also proved to be Juventus' final game before European football shut down in a bid to manage the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, Juve's bid to win a ninth consecutive Scudetto has been suspended, as has their campaign to win a first UEFA Champions League since 1996.

Maurizio Sarri's side currently trail Lyon 1-0 in their last-16 tie in Europe's elite tournament, with the second leg still to be played in Turin. If and when the season continues, Ronaldo will be aiming to become only the second person after Francisco Gento to win the famous European trophy six times.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon opened up about his return to the club from Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and explained that his childhood dream of being a professional footballer is what's stopping him from retiring.

The veteran keeper spoke to the club's official TV channel (h/t Football Italia), revealing he kept in touch with the Bianconeri during his one season in Paris:

"The return to Juve was natural, in the end I had a wonderful year in Paris and I must say that I needed it to detoxify myself.

"However it's clear that the contact with Juve was always there, with the President, with Fabio Paratici, and old friends. I played a season abroad without cutting the umbilical cord.

"I don't know what will happen next year, it is true that two years ago I practically retired and then what happened, happened.

"Why am I not retiring? Because I feel fine, and I want to respect the dreams I had when I was a small boy.

"At that age I would've been thrilled had they told me that I would become a Serie C goalkeeper."

He also said he was a Juventus fan until the age of seven, when he went through a host of favourite clubs. He was previously believed to be a lifelong Genoa fan, but it turns out that's not the case:

"Do you want a revelation? Which I have never said as I didn't want to look the part of a company man? As a child, up to the age of seven, I was a Juventus fan.

"But I fell in love with Giovanni Trapattoni and when he went to Inter [in 1986], I hesitated because my love for his character was such that I then supported Inter.

"Then I started to cheer for Pescara, Como, Avellino, Campobasso, and then from 12 years old, I started supporting Genoa."

Buffon became the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when he joined the Old Lady from Parma in 2001, and he stayed with the club for nearly two decades, including during a stint in Serie B after the Calciopoli scandal.

He left Italy for Paris in 2018 but returned to Turin to back up Wojciech Szczesny, refusing both the No. 1 shirt and captain's armband.

Even now, he remains an effective stopper capable of making amazing saves:

With seven Serie A starts this season, the 2006 FIFA World Cup winner has proved to be a vital cog in the Juventus machine. And as he has shown no signs of slowing down, speculation he could keep playing even longer has only increased.

It's a remarkable turnaround given Buffon looked ready to retire prior to his move to Paris and his play in the French capital was well below expectations. He started only 17 Ligue 1 matches and was not the upgrade on Alphonse Areola the club had hoped for. They ended up signing Keylor Navas in the summer.

Buffon did pick up a thing or two during his time in Paris, as demonstrated in this short video with team-mate Adrien Rabiot:

The Italian has remained retired from the national team after a brief return in 2018, and he doesn't seem likely to play for the Azzurri again.

The owners of Juventus have donated €10 million (£9 million) to help fight the coronavirus pandemic in Italy.

A statement on the Juventus website read:

"The Agnelli Family has made a €10 million donation to the Italian Civil Protection Department, as it manages the emergency at national level; and to Specchio dei Tempi /La Stampa (a social assistance organization which operates in the Region of Piedmont), to respond to the local health and social needs in the city of Turin and Piedmont."

Additionally, the Agnellis have assisted in the purchase of 150 ventilators and "their immediate air transport to Italy."

Italy has been the hardest hit of all European countries by the coronavirus outbreak and is second worldwide to only China in terms of cases and deaths. 

According to CNN, as of Tuesday there have been 27,980 cases in the country and 2,158 deaths.

As with the rest of Europe, football has been shutdown in a bid to manage the spread of the virus. Serie A and the Coppa Italia have been postponed indefinitely.

Juve's last match, a 2-0 league victory over title rivals Inter Milan on March 8, was played behind closed doors at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.

The victory extended Juve's lead over Inter to nine points, but Lazio remain just one point back in second:

This is the standing after Matchday 26.
#SerieATIM #WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/CXXMV1h77I

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 9, 2020

The Old Lady are attempting to win a ninth consecutive league title in 2019-20, and they are in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia against AC Milan, the first leg of which ended 1-1 at the San Siro.

Meanwhile, Juve trail 1-0 in their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Lyon after the first leg. 

Juventus confirmed on Tuesday Blaise Matuidi has tested positive for the new coronavirus. The Serie A giants released a statement on the club's official website detailing the midfielder's condition. 

Matuidi, who has been in "voluntary home isolation" since Wednesday, March 11, is said to be well and "asymptomatic."

The Frenchman is the second Juve player to test positive for the virus since the outbreak began. Centre-back Daniele Rugani tested positive for COVID-19, was isolated and later revealed on Twitter (h/t BBC Sport) he was feeling "fine."

Like Rugani, Matuidi is following the procedures put in place to help halt the spread of the disease. COVID-19 is a strain of coronavirus that can attack the lungs and airways of those infected.

Italy has been dealing with the outbreak since it became prevalent in the Lombardy region in the north of the country. Part of the response has involved suspending football in the Italian top flight, with all matches in Serie A on hold until at least April 3.

Juve were topping the table when play was brought to a halt, a mere point ahead of Lazio. Matuidi has played his part, but the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner with France has only started 13 league games, offering two assists in the process.

Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri has often opted for more technically proficient players in the engine room. Former Arsenal playmaker Aaron Ramsey has joined classy schemer Miralem Pjanic and burgeoning talent Rodrigo Bentancur.

Matuidi remains an important player, though. The versatile, box-to-box powerhouse has helped the Bianconeri win the last two titles since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

Serie A has been called off as part of the nationwide shutdown of sports and mass gatherings, while Italy responds to the pandemic. More than 184,000 people have been diagnosed globally, across 155 countries, including over 27,000 in Italy, according to the World Health Organization.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has said he has not had coronavirus symptoms despite having tested positive for the virus.

The Italian champions announced that Rugani had been diganosed with coronavirus on March 11 and consequently stated that staff and players would self-isolate at home.

Rugani offered an update on his condition in an interview with the club's television channel (h/t Football Italia):

"I'm fine, I've been pretty good. I haven't had the symptoms you read about in the news. I was lucky despite it being a good hit, because I was the first in our environment to get it. I hope it will serve to raise awareness."

Rugani added, “I’m practically finished all of Netflix! I recommend ‘The Invisible Guest’, it’s a thriller that doesn’t last long and it isn’t that serious. I’ll also accept other recommendations from you!”

Rugani was the first Serie A player to receive a positive test, with the announcement made just three days after Juventus beat Inter Milan 2-0 in a top-of-the-table clash.

Both squads and the match officials involved in the game are in self-isolation, per Football Italia.

Juventus team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo sent a message of support to Rugani as part of a post on Twitter:

"I would like to send my thoughts to everyone who has lost someone close to them, my solidarity to those who are fighting the virus, like my team-mate Daniele Rugani, and my continued support to the amazing health professionals putting their own lives at risk to save others."

The coronavirus outbreak led to the suspension of Serie A until at least April 3, while the outstanding UEFA Champions League last-16 ties have also been postponed. European football's governing body will meet on Tuesday to discuss the next step.

Damiano Tommasi, the president of the Italian Footballers' Association (AIC), does not expect top-flight football in Italy to resume at the start of April:

🗣️ Italian Footballers' Association president Damiano Tommasi:

"It's clearly impossible to start playing at the start of April.

"If all goes well, we can resume in May or June. People think we're only ensuring the safety of players, but there's a whole world behind the team." pic.twitter.com/G7DQqxhA4r

— GOAL (@goal) March 16, 2020

A number of other Serie A teams have also been affected by the coronavirus.

Fiorentina recently announced that Dusan Vlahovic, Patrick Cutrone and German Pezzella had tested positive along with physiotherapist Stefano Dainelli.

Five Sampdoria players and club doctor Amedeo Baldari have also been diagnosed with coronavirus.

Italy is the second-most affected coronavirus country in the world after China and has reported more than 24,000 cases and in excess of 1,800 deaths, per CNN.

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has given his take on Paulo Dybala's best position in the team. 

The Italian, who wore the No. 10 shirt in Turin and made 706 appearances for the Bianconeri, believes the Argentinian is best-suited to a similar role to the one he played once upon a time.

He told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Goal's Chris Burton):

"I think playing just off the centre-forward is the best position for Dybala, because he can assist, dribble and score goals.

"He has to be near to the goal, but I don't quite see him as a centre-forward, even if he can open up spaces for team-mates. I believe he's perfect uniting the midfield with the attack."

The 26-year-old signed for Juve from Palermo in 2015. His considerable potential has long been clear, although he perhaps hasn't kicked on quite as some might have hoped at Juventus.

He contributed 26 goals and seven assists in all competitions in the 2017-18 campaign, but last season he struggled to replicate that form following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. In total, he returned just 10 goals and two assists last season.

His form has picked up again significantly under Maurizio Sarri this term, however.

The forward has made 34 appearances, starting 23 of them and often sharing his place up front with Gonzalo Higuain.

He has scored 13 goals, most recently a superb finish after he came off the bench to help Juve record a 2-0 win over Inter Milan in the Derby d'Italia on March 8:

🙌 An OUTRAGEOUS goal from Paulo Dybala!

😍 Incredible skill from the Argentine, and what a finish with the outside of his foot pic.twitter.com/NaMHLlIUy5

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 8, 2020

It was a fine performance from Dybala, despite him only coming on for the final third of the contest:

Paulo Dybala’s game by numbers vs. Inter Milan (37 minutes):

97% pass accuracy
89% final third passes
2/3 dribbles completed
1 chance created
1 shot
1 goal

Sensational finish from La Joya.💎🙌 pic.twitter.com/xSXRlkXO02

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 8, 2020

He also has 12 assists to his name, meaning that one third of all the assists he has provided at Juve have come this season.

Dybala showcased his playmaking qualities in the Bianconeri's 1-0 UEFA Champions League defeat to Lyon on February 26:

Paulo Dybala’s game by numbers vs. Lyon:

Most final third passes (24)
Most dribbles completed (6)
Most chances created (4)

Juve’s best player on a frustrating night. 😤 pic.twitter.com/wl9jX0pwDl

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 26, 2020

As his numbers this season demonstrate, he's well-suited to a supporting role as it allows him to get on the scoresheet himself and create goals for others.

Higuain is 32, while Cristiano Ronaldo turned 35 in February, so it's unlikely either has a particularly long-term future at the club beyond this season.

Dybala should be at or approaching the peak of his powers, though, so he's the one the club should be looking to build the team around in the coming years.

Cristiano Ronaldo holds a refined reputation for treating his body like a temple, but Wayne Rooney recalled the forward using McDonald's Big Macs for weight gain while at Manchester United.

The two United legends spent five years as team-mates at Old Trafford; Rooney arrived at the club in 2004, one year after Ronaldo, who joined Real Madrid for what was at the time a world-record £80 million in 2009.

Ronaldo, 35, boasts one of the most famous physiques in sports, but Rooney told The Times' Jonathan Northcroft (h/t MailOnline's Kieran Lynch) there was a time when he used a less stringent approach:

"With Cristiano, when I first got to United we used to go to games and train together. I remember the night before a game stopping off at McDonald's because he wanted a Big Mac. 

"He was trying to put weight on because he was so thin. I was driving the car, having to go through the drive-through to get him a Big Mac."

Rooney and Ronaldo were each part of the United team that won a UEFA Champions League and Premier League double under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008.

Both players feature as some of the youngest to have scored 40 Premier League goals for United, per Sky Sports Statto:

📅Youngest players to reach 40 PL goals for @ManUtd:
W. Rooney – 21 years, 175 days
M. RASHFORD – 22 years, 72 days
C. Ronaldo – 22 years, 279 days
R. Giggs – 24 years, 16 days
A. Martial – 24 years, 21 days pic.twitter.com/QaCpZeB7Xp

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) January 11, 2020

Rooney has four sons and was in awe as to how his former team-mate—who also has four children—managed to maintain the regime he's come to adopt: "With four kids I don't know how he fits that in. You've got Ronaldo, who looks a million dollars, whereas I've never had the best body, but I can play 90 minutes, I can train every day. I have no worries physically. When I do, I'll stop."

Ronaldo's dedicated approach to maintaining his body and well-being is part of the reason he's scored at least 25 goals in each of his two seasons since joining Juventus in July 2018.

The Portugal captain has scored 53 goals in 75 appearances for the Bianconeri, and Rooney told CNN at the time of his move from Real Madrid that he would be a success at Juve:

Juventus last won the UEFA Champions League in 1996.

However the wait to win Europe's most prestigious club competition in football could be about to end, according to Wayne Rooney. He thinks Cristiano Ronaldo could make the difference. https://t.co/UmVMTGKjGA via @cnnsport pic.twitter.com/WhL5ZAup6Q

— CNN International (@cnni) August 23, 2018

Ronaldo's current diet methods are even influencing the next generation of superstars, such as Borussia Dortmund ace Erling Haaland, per Goal:

Could have played for England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Once wanted by Juventus 💰
Copying Ronaldo's diet 🍗

10 things you didn't know about Borussia Dortmund wonder kid Erling Haaland 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/uAYwvE54Vc

— GOAL (@goal) February 19, 2020

Rooney, 34, joined Derby County in January 2020 and could keep a playing role at Pride Park until the summer of 2022, when Ronaldo's current contract with Juventus is also scheduled to expire.

It's comforting to know a Big Mac on rare occasions is permitted for even a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, though it's fair to assume his weight-gain practices have since been updated.

In an interview with Marca's Pablo Polo and Sergio Fernandez in July 2019, Ronaldo indicated he's happy to play until the age of 40 provided his body allows for it.

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has discussed the coronavirus pandemic on social media and expressed his support for team-mate Daniel Rugani while undergoing a period of isolation:

For information: https://t.co/rbDpMTcs6s pic.twitter.com/jWzDZX0GJK

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) March 13, 2020

The Italian champions have confirmed that all employees are "observing a period of voluntary home isolation" after Rugani tested positive for COVID-19.

Ronaldo is in quarantine in Madeira after flying back to Portugal to visit his mother, who had been in hospital after suffering a stroke, per Eurosport.

Rugani's positive test came just three days after Juventus' 2-0 Serie A win over Inter Milan, which was played behind closed doors because of the spread of the virus in Italy.

The defender was pictured celebrating with the squad after the game:

Inter will also suspend training and go into isolation due to Daniele Rugani testing positive for Covid-19. The defender was on the bench in the big match between Juve and Inter last Sunday. He’s the player circled on the right. pic.twitter.com/oJOrlnZsf1

— Mina Rzouki (@Minarzouki) March 11, 2020

The centre-back took to Twitter after his diagnosis to offer reassurance to supporters (h/t BBC Sport).

"You've read the news, so I want to reassure everyone who's worried about me, I'm fine. I urge everyone to respect the rules, because this virus makes no distinction! Let's do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us."

Miguel Albuquerque, the president of Madeira's regional government, has said there is "no possibility" of Ronaldo having been infected with the coronavirus, per Alvise Cagnazzo at MailOnline.

Meanwhile, Juventus have denied speculation that Paolo Dybala has tested positive, according to ANSA (h/t Football Italia). Dybala also wrote on Twitter (h/t Football Italia) that he is "fine" and in "voluntary isolation."

Italy has been severely affected by the coronavirus, which has seen Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte introduce emergency measures throughout the country.

All sporting activity in Italy, including Serie A and B, has been called off until at least April 3.

UEFA have also confirmed Juventus' UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg against Lyon has been postponed. A meeting is due to take place on Tuesday to discuss domestic and European competitions.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has said he's "fine" after testing positive for the coronavirus, encouraging the public to "respect the rules" in staving off the respiratory illness.

The Bianconeri released a statement on Wednesday via their official website confirming Rugani had been diagnosed with COVID-19, though it specified the player was "currently asymptomatic."

Rugani, 25, wrote on Twitter (h/t Omnisport, via Yahoo): "You will have read the news and that's why I want to reassure all those who are worrying about me, I'm fine. I urge everyone to respect the rules, because this virus makes no distinctions! Let's do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us #thankyou."

CNN reported United States President Donald Trump has imposed a 30-day travel ban, beginning Friday, from 26 European countries—including Italy, the worst-affected area on the continent so far.

Italy's Civil Protection Agency said the total number of recorded cases in the country had increased to 12,462 as of Wednesday evening. The increase of 2,313 cases was "the biggest recorded jump since the outbreak began," though that didn't include full data from Lombardy, described as "the worst-hit region" by CNN.

Rugani has made seven appearances in all competitions this season but has been an unused substitute on 28 occasions, including Sunday's 2-0 win over rivals Inter Milan in a behind-closed-doors match:

Daniele Rugani has tested positive for corona virus. Quick recovery to him.

Second photo was taken on Sunday just after Juventus beat Inter Milan 2-0. Entire staff, management and players of both teams could be infected as well. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/zEAgT6g8A5

— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) March 11, 2020

The prime minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, confirmed on Monday that Serie A, along with all other sporting competitions, would be suspended until at least April 3, per Football Italia.

All shops in Italy except pharmacies and food stores have closed in an effort to limit the spread of the illness.

Fixtures in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League have also been played behind closed doors or postponed already.

AS Roma announced that their Europa League round-of-16 first leg away to Sevilla would not take place as planned on Thursday after their plane was refused permission to land in Spain:

🔴Breaking news: #ASRoma will not travel to Spain for the @EuropaLeague match against @SevillaFC_ENG after the plane from Italy was not authorised to land in Spain. More details from UEFA soon. pic.twitter.com/vnVmJLkeRC

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) March 11, 2020

Rory Smith of the New York Times expressed doubt as to whether this season's European tournaments would conclude:

Juventus and now Inter go into isolation after Daniele Rugani tests positive for Covid-19. This isn't an important element of a public health emergency but genuinely hard to see how either the CL or the EL get completed at this point.

— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) March 11, 2020

The World Health Organisation has said more than 800 people in Italy have died as a result of COVID-19 as of Wednesday.

The WHO (h/t BBC News) also classified the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic on Wednesday.

Juventus announced Wednesday that centre-back Daniele Rugani tested positive for the coronavirus, though he is currently showing no symptoms.  

Per that press release, Juventus is "currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him."

Rugani, 25, has appeared in just seven games for Juventus this season after making 20 appearances a year ago. He hasn't registered any goals or assists in the 2019-20 campaign. 

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted European football, and sports around the globe, in a major way. Serie A has been playing its matches in empty arenas, with supporters banned from the stadiums because of the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy. 

In England, Arsenal and Manchester City postponed their scheduled game for Wednesday as a precautionary measure after several Gunners came into contact with Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who was diagnosed with the illness. 

Danish club Brondby quarantined 13 players and staff members after Denmark international Thomas Kahlenberg was diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Timo Hubers of Hannover 96, a club in the second division of German football, also tested positive for the illness. 

The coronavirus was classified as a global pandemic on Wednesday and has infected over 115,800 people worldwide, leading to over 4,200 deaths.