The Italian defender Daniele Rugani, first elite football player to test positive for coronavirus, says he is "fine" and hopes his case will "raise awareness around the world".
"I'm doing well, I want to reassure everyone. I have never had the severe symptoms that we hear about and I consider myself lucky," the defender said on Juventus TV.
"It was a real shock because I was the first case in this environment. I hope it serves to raise awareness around the world, especially for those who have not understood the seriousness of the problem," added the Italian international, currently isolated in a room at the J-Hotel, at Juventus' training center in Turin.
"There was a media explosion. Many people have written to me and I appreciate it. I will overcome it and I hope to come out stronger," said the 25-year-old footballer.
Juventus announced Rugani's positive test on Wednesday, stating that the player was "asymptomatic". He was the first Serie A player to be infected in a list that has increased in recent days.
Italy is behind China as the second most affected country by the new coronavirus pandemic, with nearly 25,000 detected cases, and over 1,800 deaths, according to the latest figures announced by authorities.