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          What footballers are doing this weekend amid coronavirus suspensions

          • Chris Wright, Toe Poke writerMar 15, 2020, 09:34 AM

          With most top-tier football postponed for the foreseeable future because of the coronavirus outbreak, players who should have been in action have found themselves in the unusual position of having the weekend free.

          With many training grounds off limits, footballers have been sent home by their clubs along with personal schedules to adhere to an isolation period for the next few weeks.

          Here's what a few of them are getting up to.

          - Coronavirus cancellations and reactions in sports
          - Premier League to meet Thursday, discuss fate of season
          - Karlsen: How the shutdown could impact summer transfers

          1. Sergio Ramos

          With the Real Madrid training centre shut down as of last week, Ramos shared footage of his home exercise session, including an intense sprint on his running machine.

          2. Karim Benzema

          Likewise, Ramos' Real teammate kept himself out of harm's way by hitting the home gym to break a sweat by lifting a few weights.

          3. Presnel Kimpembe

          The PSG defender is keeping himself confined to his couch, where he apparently intends to occupy himself with video games for the next couple of weeks.

          4. Cristiano Ronaldo

          Ronaldo shared a message of solidarity on his social media channels before travelling back to his home in Madeira to be with his family.

          5. Lionel Messi

          Messi had his own inspirational message for social media, while also talking about the importance of staying at home and spending time with your family.

          View this post on Instagram

          Son días complicados para todo el mundo. Vivimos preocupados por lo que está ocurriendo y queremos ayudar poniéndonos en el lugar de aquellos que peor lo están pasando, o bien porque les afectó directamente a ellos o sus familiares y amigos, o porque están trabajando en primera línea para combatirlo en hospitales y centros de salud. Quiero enviarles mucha fuerza a todos ellos. La salud debe ser siempre lo primero. Es un momento excepcional y hay que seguir las indicaciones tanto de las organizaciones sanitarias como de las autoridades públicas. Sólo así podremos combatirlo de manera efectiva. Es el momento de ser responsable y quedarse en casa, además es perfecto para disfrutar ese tiempo con los tuyos que no siempre se puede tener. Un abrazo y ojalá consigamos darle vuelta a esta situación cuanto antes. #QuedateEnCasa #StayAtHome

          A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi) on

          6. Douglas Costa

          Costa has paired up with the perfect training four-legged partner as the Juventus forward kept himself limber at home.

          7. Lucas Vazquez

          The Real Madrid forward Vazquez also teamed up with a buddy to undergo his first home training session, in the shape of his infant son.

          View this post on Instagram

          Día 1. #YoMeQuedoEnCasa

          A post shared by Lucas Vázquez (@lucasvazquez91) on

          8. Raphael Varane

          Adapting to the "new normal," Varane was yet another Los Blancos star who decided to stay and work out at home in the privacy of his own personal gym.

          9. Cesc Fabregas

          The French league has been postponed, so Monaco midfielder Fabregas asked for help for some TV watching, given his lack of other options.

          10. Alexis Sanchez

          What better time than to train shirtless by lifting some heavy logs? Sanchez, who is on loan at Inter Milan from Man United, also made sure to involve his beloved dogs Atom and Humber later on.

          11. Watford

          Undeterred by the fact their weekend game against Leicester was postponed, Watford revealed what would have happened. A 1-1 draw it seems.

          12. Southampton vs. Norwich vs. Man City

          Southampton vs. Norwich turned into a Twitter game of Tic-Tac-Toe (also called Noughts and Crosses).

          But with the Canaries' social media account taking a well-earned break, Southampton's proposed Tic-Tac-Toe game was going nowhere until a challenger appeared!

          Manchester City proved to be a worthy opponent, too... if only we could watch their players in front of the grid playing in real time!

          In the end, both teams were more than happy to settle for a hard-fought draw! What will they play next...

          13. Radcliffe Borough F.C.

          For some, of course, it was business as usual. Such as Radcliffe Borough in the lower leagues of English football.

          14. Iniesta gives advice in Japan

          Ex-Barca legend Andres Iniesta has remained in Japan with his family, where he plays for Vissel Kobe. In a series of thoughtful Instagram posts, he echoed the need for caution in the community but also expressed the joy of community and humanity that he and his family have experienced over in their adopted home.

          View this post on Instagram

          Contigo ... ❤

          A post shared by Andres Iniesta (@andresiniesta8) on

          15. Beckham in Miami

          This weekend was supposed to mark the home debut of David Beckham's MLS team, Inter Miami CF, as they began play in the league this year following a long road from their initial franchise announcement. But Becks' wasn't too downtrodden given the bigger story developing around the globe.

          16. Teams play Connect Four in Portugal

          With all soccer leagues suspended there as well, Sporting CP (former home of Man United star Bruno Fernandes) decided to play a game of Connect Four with their would-be opponents this weekend, Vitoria SC.

          17. Vancouver gives back

          The 2020 MLS season was suspended this week as all the major American sports leagues got out ahead of the coronavirus outbreak for the safety of fans and staff but that didn't stop the Whitecaps from making some charitable donations in the absence of a home game against the Colorado Rapids.

          18. Oxlade-Chamberlain works on his moves

          Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain spent most of last year at home after suffering a serious knee injury, but now he's back on his feet he's found a better use for his time indoors with popstar girlfriend Perrie Edwards.

          19. Thibaut Courtois and friends battle online

          Clearly the football world's loss is the online world's gain this weekend.

          20. MLS on FIFA 20

          The New England Revolution are taking on the Portland Timbers in MLS this weekend, regardless of any league suspension.