Pepe Reina admits he doesn’t care if the season is voided after fearing for his life while “running out of oxygen” battling coronavirus.
The veteran Spanish keeper,37, is on loan at Premier League strugglers Aston Villa from AC Milan.
He revealed last week he was recovering after contracting the virus, explaining how the illness felt like “a truck” had driven over him.
The former Liverpool shot-stopper now says he is on the mend but admits the seriousness of the illness means football is not important at present.
Reina said: “I am winning the battle against coronavirus only now.
(Image: Laurence Griffiths)
“The most difficult moment was when I could no longer breathe, the 25 minutes I ran out of oxygen.
“The only real fear I had was when I understood that there was no oxygen: endless minutes of fear, as if suddenly my throat had closed.
“It was the worst moments of my life.
“I was very tired after experiencing the first symptoms of the virus.
“A fever, dry cough and a headache that never left me – it was just that constant feeling of tiredness.
“As a result I spent the first six or eight days indoors.”
(Image: Getty Images)
All Premier League and EFL football has been suspended until April 30 at the earliest and the National League has been suspended “indefinitely”.
Non-League divisions below the National League have already seen their seasons voided.
Reina insists he won’t be upset if the top-flight doesn’t finish either with the pandemic still yet to reach its peak in the UK.
“Football takes a back seat. I don’t care much, really,” he added.
“Everyone’s well-being goes above anything else.
“I will be a supporter of playing when everything is in the best conditions, that everyone is safe.
“Football cannot be a priority right now. It is not important to finish this league.
“I know and am aware of all the interests that exist around soccer, especially economic ones.
“But there are also many other areas, and right now the first thing is people’s health.
“April 30 as an option for the Premier League to return seems to me that it will not be a real date and I think we are going to go much further.
“But it will be time that dictates the moment.
“When we are all safe it will be time to take action and set dates. So far, it is useless to talk and predict any return option.”
