Former Liverpool goalkeeper, Pepe Reina has shared his bitter experience with the novel Covid-19 after he tested positive for the virus. The goal stopper who is currently in Aston Villa from a loan spell in AC Milan stated that one of the most devastating experiences he had was difficult breathing which lasted for about 25 minutes.
According to him, he battled to breathe for more than 25 minutes when he ran of gas saying it was the goriest moment of his life. The 37-year-old shot-stopper, however, revealed that he’s beginning to win the battle against the deadly syndrome.
As expected, Reina disclosed that he has not stepped out of his house for about 18 days now since he discovered that he has the virus, he spent the first six days in isolation. While speaking about the symptoms and illnesses that come with the virus he said,
“I haven’t been out for 18 days,” the Spaniard said in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.
“I didn’t want for company. It’s me, my wife Yolanda, five children and two in-laws. The house is large and loneliness doesn’t come into it.
“However, I was isolated after experiencing the first symptoms of the virus: fever, dry cough, a headache that never left me, that feeling of exhaustion.”
Fortunately for him, he’s now winning the battle against the virus even though the symptoms were so terrifying. He stated that the most dreadful moment was when he ran out of oxygen. “I am winning the battle against coronavirus only now,” the former Liverpool and Napoli man continued.
“The most difficult moment was when I could no longer breathe, the 25 minutes I ran out of oxygen. It was the worst moment of my life.
“The only real fear I had was when I understood that there was no oxygen: endless minutes of fear, as if suddenly my throat had closed.”
Premier League is currently on hold due to the outbreak of the pandemic, however, it is expected to resume play on the 30th of April if the pandemic has been controlled before then. Nevertheless, Reina revealed that he is not really bothered about when the game will resume, but he’s so passionate about when he will fully recover from the virus.
“Football takes a back seat,” Reina said. “I don’t care much, really. Everyone’s well-being goes above anything else. I will be a supporter of playing when everything is in the best conditions, that everyone is safe.
“Football cannot be a priority right now. It is not important to finish this league. I know and am aware of all the interests that exist around soccer, especially economic ones. But there are also many other areas, and right now the first thing is people’s health.”
