Zlatan Ibrahimovic tests positive for coronavirus as AC Milan star challenges illness for having “courage” to infect him

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC says he is fine after coronavirus had "the courage"; to infect him.

Italian media reported on Thursday that the Swede had tested positive for the illness following team-mate Leo Duarte's diagnosis.

Milan players underwent extra tests on Wednesday, ahead of facing Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.

And the Rossoneri confirmed that Ibrahimovic, 38, had tested positively for the virus.

A statement read: "Zlatan Ibrahimovic has tested positive for Covid-19 following a second round of swab tests ahead of tonight's game against Bodø/Glimt.

"The club has informed the relevant authorities and the player has been promptly placed in quarantine at home. All other team members and staff have tested negative."

But the player shrugged off the illness, stating he has no symptoms and calling his infection a "bad idea" on behalf of the virus.

He tweeted: "I tested negative to Covid yesterday and positive today.

"No symptoms what so ever. Covid had the courage to challenge me. Bad idea."

Brazilian centre-back Duarte was in the squad for Milan's win over Bologna.

Appearing for 18 minutes off the bench on Monday, he has since been placed in self-isolation and the club undertook extra testing as a result.

An initial round of swabs confirmed no new cases in the squad.

Ibrahimovic's case then appeared during Wednesday's testing, as part of the mandatory checks before the Europa League play-off tie.

Scoring twice in the 2-0 win over Bologna, the veteran forward joked that he felt like Benjamin Button on his second stint at the San Siro.

He told Sky Sports Italia: "I'm fine, I'm working, this is the second official match

"We won, I could have scored more goals. If I was 20, I would have scored another two.

"I'm like Benjamin Button, I was born old and I die young."

Milan host Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night, kicking off the third-round qualifier at 7.30pm.

Ibrahimovic bagged in the previous round's 2-0 win over Irish side Shamrock Rovers.

Both Duarte and the Swedish star will sit out the Bodo clash as well as Sunday's trip to Crotone.