Harry Diamond
Pepe Reina has described the struggle and ‘endless minutes of fear’ after being left unable to breathe after contracting coronavirus.
The on-loan Aston Villa goalkeeper is currently recovering after contracting the COVID-19 virus, the Spaniard initially feeling unwell two weeks ago after suffering from the first symptoms of the disease.
Reina has now opened up on his ordeal as he has battled the coronavirus, revealing the fear he experienced during the ‘worst moments’ of his life after being left without oxygen and unable to breathe.
“It is only now that I am winning the battle against coronavirus,” the former Liverpool stopper told Corriere dello Sport.
“I was very tired after experiencing the first symptoms of the virus. A fever, dry cough and a headache that never went away. It was just that constant feeling of tiredness.
“The most difficult moment was when I could no longer breathe, the 25 minutes I ran out of oxygen. It was the worst moments of my life.
“The only real fear I had was when I understood there was no oxygen: endless minutes of fear, as if suddenly my throat had closed. As a result I spent the first six or eight days indoors.”
He said staying at home, at least, was not a chore. “I don’t miss the company as it’s me, my wife Yolanda, five children and two in-laws. The house is big and loneliness has no access to my home.”
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