Real Madrid have confirmed that striker Luka Jovic has tested positive for Covid-19, becoming the fifth player at the club to contract the virus.
The former Benfica forward, 22, tested positive in a PCR test carried out by his club following his return from international duty with Serbia.
A statement from the Spanish champions read: “Real Madrid informs that our player Luka Jovic has given a positive result in the Covid-19 tests carried out on Friday morning.”
Jovic will now go into a period of self-isolation.
This comes a month after the striker escaped a six-month prison sentence in Serbia for breaking coronavirus rules after flying home to celebrate his girlfriend’s birthday in Belgrade.
At that time, Jovic issued an apology, saying: ‘On arrival back in Serbia they tested me and I was negative. It’s a shame others were not professional in their work and did not give me concrete instructions on how I should behave during isolation.
‘I ask forgiveness from everyone if in some way I have put anyone in danger. I hope together we can all get over this. Serbia has my complete support, we will beat this together.’
Jovic becomes the fifth Madrid player to recently be confirmed coronavirus positive after Mariano, Eder Militao, Casemiro, and Eden Hazard. All three of those players have returned to training this week and could be available to Zidane for the meeting with Villarreal on Saturday.
