Just one day before he tested positive for coronavirus, Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi recorded a video message about how he “didn’t really get a handle on how bad this disease was.”

The highly-contagious illness has now struck 11 Serie A players, the first of which was Matuidi’s Juve teammate Daniele Rugani.

This evening, the Bianconeri announced that Matuidi had also tested positive for Coronavirus-COVID-19.

Only a day ago, the France international had recorded a video message from his home, where he’d been in self-isolation with his family since March 11.

“At the beginning, I didn’t really get a handle on how bad this disease was, how dangerous it is, how fast the contagion spread here in Italy.

“Thousands have tested positive in just a few days, almost without us noticing. We have to understand that this disease can touch all of us, our families and those close to us.

“It’s important that we take all this into consideration and follow the rules.”

As of March 17, 2,503 people have died in Italy after contracting coronavirus, an increase of 345 over the last 24 hours, with 2,060 in intensive care.

This represents an increase of 2,989 new cases since yesterday.

There are now 26,062 people suffering from coronavirus in Italy, with 2,060 in intensive care.

The total number of positive tests – including those who have died and recovered – now stands at 31,506.