The coronavirus pandemic has swept the world and a number of footballers have been confirmed as having contracted it.

As well-paid athletes, elite-level footballers are ostensibly in a much better position to fight off the virus, but some have reported feeling serious pain and being scared.

There are a few commonly reported symptoms, but those who are asymptomatic can also be carriers and spread it.

Goal takes a look at some of the symptoms and experiences reported by footballers who contracted the coronavirus.

Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) 

Symptoms: temperature, dry cough, chest pain 

 Arteta explained: “In terms of symptoms, it was a normal virus for me. I had three or four days which were a little bit difficult, with a bit of a temperature and a dry cough, and some discomfort in my chest. That was it.”

Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea)   

Symptoms: “similar to a mild cold” (now recovered)

 Chelsea and England star Hudson-Odoi recovered from the virus after spending a week-long period in self-isolation. The winger reported symptoms “similar to a mild cold”.

Daniele Rugani (Juventus) 

Symptoms: mild fever (now recovered)

Rugani tested positive for the virus, but was ostensibly asymptomatic. In a message posted on his Twitter page, he said: “You will have read the news and that’s why I want to reassure all those who are worrying about me, I’m fine.” 

 His girlfriend Michela Persico told Corriere Della Sera: “Daniele recorded three mild fever lines, he was at a temperature of 37.5. 

 “He asked to be checked and, the next day, the test was positive, but he already had no fever, nor did he have or had a cough or something else. So we didn’t expect it. We don’t have a clue how the infection happened.”

Manolo Gabbiadini (Sampdoria)

Symptoms: slight fever, headache 

 “I felt a little fever on the night of Tuesday March 10, but I didn’t think about the virus,” Gabbiadini said. “That night I slept badly, woke up often and in the morning my head was dizzy but I wasn’t hot. I only measured the fever out of concern and I was 37.5. I called Dr. Baldari from Samp, but again I didn’t think about the virus. “Martina, my wife, however, suggested I ask for a swab, as we have two small children at home. The doctor came to do it and we made an appointment for the next day. On Thursday I was fine, my fever had ended. At 3 pm the doctor called me to tell me that I was positive.”

Eliaquim Mangala  (Valencia) 

Symptoms: none 

 “I’m feeling good and I have no symptoms associated with the virus,” said the former Manchester City defender. Indeed, Mangala believed his diagnosis was a joke, telling L’Equipe: “I didn’t have any symptoms, I was just like every day. “So, when Sunday morning the doctor told me I was positive, I was shocked. 

I thought it was a joke at first. But when he talked about quarantine, for 14 days, staying away from my kids, I understood it wasn’t a joke.”

Ezequiel Garay  (Valencia)   

Symptoms: none 

 “I have tested positive for coronavirus but feel very well,” said Garay. “Now it only remains to pay attention to the health authorities and, for now, be isolated.” 

Blaise Matuidi  (Juventus)

Symptoms: none (now recovered)

On Instagram, Matuidi wrote: “I am an asymptomatic carrier of the virus, aware of the privilege of being a professional footballer and as such benefit from regular and excellent medical monitoring. If it weren’t, I probably never would have known.”.

Paulo Dybala  (Juventus) 

Symptoms: cough, tiredness, mild fever, headache 

 “I had a bad cough, I felt tired and when I slept, I felt cold. At first, I didn’t think about what it could be but it had happened to two other teammates and the last one was me,” Dybala said during an interview with the official AFA website. “We had headaches, but it was advisable not to take anything. The club gave us vitamins and over time we felt better. It’s psychological. You were scared at first, but it’s okay now. These days we haven’t had any symptoms.”

Paolo Maldini (AC Milan) 

Symptoms: dry cough, loss of taste & smell, chest pain 

“It was like a slightly uglier flu. But it’s not a normal flu. I know my body. An athlete knows himself,” Maldini told Corriere della Serra.  “The pains are particularly strong, and then it feels like a squeeze in your chest… it’s a new virus. The body fights against an enemy it doesn’t know.” Maldini expects to recover from virus ‘within a week’

Marouane Fellaini (Shandong Luneng)

Symptoms: none 

 Fellaini said on Twitter: “Dear friends, I have been tested for coronavirus and my test result is positive. “Thanks to the fans, medical staff and the club for their care and attention. I will follow the treatment and hope to return to the game as soon as possible. Please everyone stay safe.”

Recber Rustu (Turkey)

Symptoms: fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, cough 

“Everything was normal when he suddenly developed symptoms really fast and we are still in shock. These are critical and difficult times,” Rustu’s wife Isil said. 

Kenny Dalglish (Liverpool)

Symptoms: none 

 Dalglish had been in hospital for treatment of gallstones when he was confirmed as having coronavirus. However, the former Reds player and manager was asymptomatic.