Pepe Reina says coronavirus felt like ‘a train had run me over’ as Aston Villa keeper reveals fight against deadly bug
PEPE REINA says having coronavirus felt like being run over by a truck or a train.
The Aston Villa keeper - who has recovered - vented his frustration at the ‘f*****g virus’ that is tearing across the globe and he paid tribute to ordinary people struggling to cope.
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The Spanish star also repeated the strengthening calls for the public to heed governments’ advice and stay indoors to stay healthy.
World Cup winner Reina said: "I had the bug during these last weeks. It's been different, tough.
“They don't do tests here unless you're feeling really, really bad. I support that policy, to be fair.
"I spoke to the doctors and they told me the symptoms were of coronavirus.
“Obviously, there is no official confirmation as I did not take a test, but I know it was Covid-19.
"I had fever, cough, I could not breathe well, I felt like a lorry or a train had run me over. It was two to three really difficult days.”
Reina remains in Birmingham, observing the new strict protocols to help stem the spread of the disease which has infected more than 300,000 people worldwide.
The former Liverpool star said: “My family have been confined for two weeks, so things won't change much at my household.
"However, it is about time the PM took the decision. I'm pretty sure it's been too late, but at least he took it; it is logical.
"I cannot talk about 'suffering' when I am confined. I am privileged. I live very well, in a big house with a garden.
"I know for some people this situation is hard, f****d up, but we have to be obedient and pass this month or month and a half.
"I think about people who live in a 70m2 (metres squared) flat with two or three kids. Those people have cojones. They are tough, they are all heroes.
'WE WILL BE STRONGER'
“For me it is easy to be confined; I can be confined for two-three months, and I am saying that it with humility.
"We have to be model citizens and respect the rules. The faster we do that, the faster all this will be over.
"It is time to stay at home, be obedient. Covid-19 will go away and we will be stronger, I am sure."
In a highly-charged outburst, 2010 World Cup winner Reina also urged football chiefs to shelve all thoughts of resuming the most popular sport on earth until it is totally safe.
He said: “Football is secondary now. The well-being of humanity is at stake; not only in Spain, in Italy, in the UK: we are talking about the whole world.
"This is what this f******g virus has done. I don't know if we will play football again. Nobody knows it.
“We have to careful when we talk about dates; the decision to postpone the Euros and the Olympic Games was a wise one and now we have more time, if needed, to finish the season.
“I understand there are many interests at risk, a lot of money involved, but, alongside football, there are many other aspects of the economy that will suffer because of this. Football is not the most important thing.
"It makes no sense to play without fans. Players are fulfilled when we play with fans.
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"But, I repeat, the most important thing is that we do what is safer for everybody and not do what we want.
"Stadiums full of people won't help unless coronavirus is eradicated."
Reina could not help a light-hearted dig at the panic buyers who have shamed themselves at a time when people need unity more than ever.
He said: "I laugh when I see people buy tons of toilet paper.
"I know it is a necessity, but I have five children at home and we have no problem."
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