Zidane tests positive for COVID-19

Zinedine Zidane, head coach of Real Madrid football club, has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Spanish club broke the news in a terse statement on its official website on Friday.

“Real Madrid C. F. report that our coach Zinedine Zidane has tested positive for COVID-19,” the club wrote.

The club, however, did not provide further details on whether Zidane showed symptoms of the virus before he tested positive.

Comunicado Oficial: Zidane#RealMadrid

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 22, 2021

With the development, the Frenchman is expected to self-isolate and will likely miss out on the club’s trip to the Mendizorroza Stadium to face Alaves in La Liga on Saturday night.

Davide Bettoni, Real Madrid assistant coach, is also expected to take the reins of the first-team and will be required to provide cover for the Frenchman in the next two weeks.

The Los Blancos have had a mixed season so far, with Zidane coming under fire over the club’s inconsistency of form.

The Spanish champions were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Alcoyano on Wednesday night, a result which further increased the already mounting pressure on the former French football player.

Real Madrid are currently second on the La Liga table on 37 points, seven points behind Atletico Madrid, who are at the summit with a game at hand. They are also 3 points above Barcelona, who occupy the third position.