Coronavirus: Valencia defender Mangala confirms positive test

Valencia team-mate Ezequiel Garay – who was due to miss the rest of the season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) – became the first LaLiga player to confirm a positive COVID-19 test on Sunday.

The Spanish club later released a statement, revealing five members of the first-team playing squad and coaching staff had been diagnosed with coronavirus – though they did not name Garay or Mangala.

Former Manchester City centre-back Mangala, however, announced via social media he was one of five Valencia players to have tested positive.

pic.twitter.com/q6J0sINmz8

— Eliaquim Mangala (@Elia22Mangala) March 15, 2020

"I knew today that I am #Coronavirus positive," Mangala, who has only made four LaLiga appearances this season, said in a Twitter post.

"I'm feeling good and I have no symptoms associated with the virus. However, I am confined in house and separated from my family.

"I learned that we can carry the virus without having symptoms, that's why I recommend everyone to follow the confinement measures and avoid contact with other people, as much as possible, even if you feel well.

"If everyone respect these instructions, together we will avoid the propagation as much as possible and fight to avoid transmitting it to people, who may have aggravating symptoms.

"Many thanks for your support message, take care of yourself and your loved ones and respect the confinement instructions to avoid the spreading."

Mangala spent five years at City before moving to Valencia in 2019 and the Premier League giants tweeted: "Everyone at Manchester City wishes you a speedy recovery, Eliaquim".

There have been at least 7,800 coronavirus cases in Spain, with more than 290 deaths.