This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
On Tuesday, May 5, 2020, Juventus players returned to individual training at the team's sports centre, marking a significant step towards resuming the 2019-20 season. The Italian interior ministry's green light on Sunday allowed players to return to club training facilities two weeks ahead of schedule.
Giorgio Chiellini, the 35-year-old captain, led the way, arriving early with Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci. They were followed by midfielder Aaron Ramsey, playmaker Miralem Pjanic, and several other players, including Juan Cuadrado, Mattia De Sciglio, Federico Bernardeschi, and Daniele Rugani.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Italy is uncertain. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner returned with his family to Turin by private jet late on Monday and is in quarantine awaiting tests. Ronaldo had played in Juventus' last match against Inter Milan on March 8 behind closed doors.
Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora warned that training in groups must wait until May 18, and it remains uncertain whether matches can restart as the country battles the Covid-19 pandemic, which has killed over 29,000 in Italy.
Spadafora denied wanting to call a halt to the season, saying, “It would be surreal for a sports minister to demonise football.” He added that his commitment would be twofold – to limit the financial damage to clubs and support the whole world of sport – if the government is forced to admit that the conditions for resuming the season are not there.
Spadafora also announced that the government will invest about one billion euros ($1.08 billion) for the sector as a whole, between ordinary and extraordinary resources.
