Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed Covid-19 tests are “BULL****” after being ruled out of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Lionel Messi.
The Juventus forward first tested positive for coronavirus on Portugal duty on October 13 – and failed more tests last Thursday and on Tuesday despite suffering no symptoms.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid, who has shaved his head during two weeks in quarantine in his Italian villa, took to Instagram on Wednesday to claim he is: “Feeling good and healthy!”
And the Portuguese, 35, added: “PCR IS BULL****”
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a common form of Covid-19 testing taken within a swab or saliva sample.
Fans have been denied a mouthwatering clash involving the world's top two players, and will now have to wait until the teams meet again at the Nou Camp on December 8.
Ronaldo still took the time to send his teammates a message of support before their first encounter with Barcelona though, writing in a separate Instagram post: "Come on guys! All together! Until the end!"
The forward's sister Katia Aveiro reacted somewhat more angrily at Ronaldo's absence due to Covid-19 in a rant on her own Instagram page last week.
"If Cristiano Ronaldo has to wake the world up, I have to say he really is a prophet from God. Thank you," she said.
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"I think thousands of people believed in the pandemic, in the tests and in the measures that have been taken, just like me.
"The biggest fraud I’ve seen since I was born. Today I read a phrase which I stand up to applaud, namely: 'Enough of a world of puppets.'
"Please, someone, open your eyes."
Alvaro Morata is expected to lead the attack in place of Ronaldo for Juventus, who are also without three defenders for the visit of the La Liga giants.
Giorgio Chiellini, Alex Sandro and Matthijs de Ligt are all sidelined, while midfielder Weston McKennie is also ruled out due to coronavirus.
