MILAN: Juventus star Paulo Dybala one of the highest-profile players to be infected with the coronavirus, has started training again after recovering from the illness which he said left him struggling for breath.

The Argentine international announced last Saturday he was one of three Juventus players to catch the virus along with Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi, a World Cup winner with France in 2018, who both had no symptoms. Players at other Serie A clubs have also tested positive.

“I feel better now after some strong symptoms,” the 26-year-old Dybala told Juventus television channel on Friday.

“A couple of days ago I was not well, I felt heavy and after five minutes of movement I had to stop because I was struggling to breathe.

“Now I can move and walk to start trying to train, because when I tried in the past few days I started to shake too much.

“I gasped for air and as a result I couldn’t do anything, after five minutes I was already very tired, I felt the body heavy and my muscles hurt.

“Now I’m fine. My fiance Oriana [Sabatini] has also overcome the symptoms.”

Dybala has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, including in league leaders Juventus’ last game against Inter Milan before Serie A and all sport in Italy was suspended.

“The goal against Inter was the greatest emotion, [Aaron] Ramsey provided the perfect assist — it’s a pity that there was no public,” added Dybala.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2020