Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus forward, will miss this night’s Champions League group stage clash with rival Lionel Messi, after the Serie A champions failed to declare the Portugal superstar had tested negative in time to face Barcelona.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s initial positive test was confirmed on October 13.
UEFA protocol stipulates that a player has until 24 hours before kick-off to return a negative test, before he can be declared available.
As Juve and Barca meet on Wednesday and no negative test was presented to UEFA, Ronaldo will not be available for selection.
Ronaldo and Messi, who between them have claimed 11 of the past 12 Ballon d’Or awards, have not met since the Portugal captain left Real Madrid for Juve in 2018.
This was due to be their first encounter in a Champions League group stage, though they will get a second chance on December 12, when the two sides face each other again at Camp Nou.
