Renan Lodi tests positive for coronavirus

Liga Santander clubs are preparing to resume training next week in anticipation of a return to action on or around June 20. Every player from each team has been (or will be) tested for the novel coronavirus, which has infected at least four million people worldwide — and more than a quarter-million in Spain.

Atlético Madrid coaches and players took their tests Wednesday. Friday’s results showed nine Rojiblancos tested negative and had antibodies — but not the team’s first-choice left back.

Renan Lodi began to experience Covid-19-like symptoms in early March — for those keeping score, around the time Atlético traveled to Liverpool. He initially believed he had come down with flu. Though Lodi is asymptomatic two months on, the virus remains present in some form in his body, and he must be quarantined for the next 10 days. Following that period, the 22-year-old will be tested twice more before he can begin to train with the others — including the aforementioned nine Atlético players, who are not contagious and can work as normal.

Marca’s needle-sharp Alberto Barbero had this to say about the news.

“There was little doubt that the first positive test in football’s return would be from Atlético. There was little doubt that Atlético’s first positive test would be in the position for which there is no replacement.”