Cristiano Ronaldo is one of many athletes current on sabbatical although the name of the five-time Ballons d'Or winner made headlines recently. As most know, the world is trying to figure out how to help people infected by the dreaded coronavirus disease and there is a growing concern on the lack of medical facilities. News spread that the Juventus forward has opened his hotels in Lisbon to serve as makeshift hospitals but it appears all that is untrue.
It was Spanish publication Marca who first came out with the report, alleging that Ronaldo was planning to open his range of hotels in Portugal to coronavirus victims. He was lauded for the said move, most even calling him a person with a golden heart. Unfortunately, there was something off about it after people touched base with Pestana CR7 personnel.
Speaking to RTL Nieuws, a spokesperson for the hotel says that they were unaware of plans to turn the hotel into a makeshift hospital. The unnamed person said that they will remain a hotel and are not going to be a hospital.
“We are a hotel. We are not going to be a hospital. It is a day like everyone else, we are and will remain a hotel. We are being phoned by the press. I wish you a nice day,” the unidentified spokesperson said.
Portugal is one of the regions dealing with the coronavirus spread. They have about 169 confirmed cases but no deaths have been reported so far. Ronaldo has yet to comment on the whole matter. After testing negative for COVID-19, the Portugal national team captain has been holed up at his villa in Madeira. The last time he spoke, it was about asking everyone to remain solid via Instagram.
"The world is going through a very difficult moment which demands the utmost care and attention from all of us," Ronaldo said. "I speak to you today not as a football player, but as a son, father, a human being concerned with the latest developments that are affecting the whole world."
The coronavirus has placed the entire world on hold as medical personnel and scientist try to deal with the pandemic. Deaths have been significantly rising with everyone urged to stay at home to avoid contracting the virus. Football is only one of several sports placed on hiatus and organizers are weighing their options. That includes possibly canceling the season for the safety of both players and fans.
