Ronaldo Awaited as Serie A Returns to Training Amid Uncertainty

Cristiano Ronaldo has been recalled to Italy as Serie A clubs begin a cautious return to individual training following a two-month coronavirus shutdown, although uncertainty remains over whether the league season will resume.

Italian authorities gave players permission to return to club training facilities earlier than initially planned, raising hopes that the 2019-20 campaign could still be completed.

The decision followed moves by several regional governments to allow clubs to reopen their facilities for players to train individually.

However, sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora stressed that team training would not be permitted before May 18 and said no decision had been reached on restarting competitive matches.

“Team training will not resume before May 18 and the resumption of the championship, for now, is not really discussed,” Spadafora said.

Italy remained one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with nearly 29,000 deaths reported at the time.

All 20 Serie A clubs had officially supported completing the season, although some teams, including Brescia and Torino, expressed reservations because of the continuing health risks.

The league had been suspended since March 9, with football authorities warning that abandoning the campaign could have serious financial consequences for an industry that generates billions of euros and supports thousands of jobs.

Several clubs nevertheless began preparations for a gradual return.

Sassuolo became one of the first teams to resume individual training, while Bologna, Lazio and Roma were preparing similar programmes after conducting coronavirus tests on players and staff.

Inter Milan also announced that first-team players could voluntarily use the club’s training facilities for individual sessions.

Juventus recalled players who had travelled abroad during the lockdown, including Ronaldo, who had been staying on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

The Portuguese forward was required to undergo a two-week quarantine after returning to Italy before joining training.

Juventus also began conducting medical tests on players at the club’s training centre in Turin, with Federico Bernardeschi, Juan Cuadrado, Carlo Pinsoglio, Leonardo Bonucci and Aaron Ramsey among those reporting.

Serie A leaders Juventus held a one-point advantage over Lazio when the season was suspended.