Barcelona player tests positive for coronavirus

Barcelona have confirmed that one of its players has tested positive for Covid-19.

The club has not yet identified the player but confirmed that one positive case was detected among nine players starting the pre-season.

“Following PCR tests conducted this Tuesday afternoon on the group of nine players due to begin the preseason today, one of them has tested positive for COVID-19. The player has no symptoms, is in good health and has been quarantined at his home,” the club said in a statement released on Wednesday morning.

“The club has reported the matter to the relevant sporting and health authorities. All persons who have been in contact with the player have been tracked to perform the corresponding PCR tests."

Barcelona say player was not in contact with Lisbon squad

The announcement comes as the Barcelona squad prepare to fly to Lisbon on Thursday to take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter final, which takes place on Friday night.

However, the club confirmed the player in question “has not been in contact with any of the senior team players who are scheduled to travel to Lisbon this Thursday to compete in the Champions League.”

Altético players test positive

Barcelona becomes the second of the two Spanish clubs competing in the Lisbon Champions League mini-tournament to confirm a positive case among its squad.

On Monday, Atlético Madrid confirmed that senior players, Ángel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko, were both detected as positive for the virus.

Both players are asymptomatic and will remain isolated at home, while the rest of the squad is the Portuguese capital, where they take on RB Leipzig on Thursday.