Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo to miss clash with Barcelona, Lionel Messi

A hyped Champions League group stage clash featuring Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo taking on rival and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi will have to wait. 

ESPN and other outlets reported on Tuesday that Ronaldo won't be cleared to face Barcelona after he failed to return a negative coronavirus test result within 24 hours of the start of Wednesday's match. The 35-year-old first tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 13 while on international duty with Portugal and hasn't played since. 

Ronaldo missed Serie A draws with Crotone and Hellas Verona, and a 2-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Oct. 20. Juventus are fifth in the Serie A table after five matchdays. 

Ronaldo and Messi sparked what's seen by many as the greatest footballing rivalry of their generation during Ronaldo's time with Spanish giants Real Madrid. The two haven't met on the pitch since the Portuguese star completed a transfer to Juventus in July 2018 and have never played against each other in a Champions League group stage game.

Barcelona host Juventus at Camp Nou on Dec. 8. Until then, fans around the world will have to keep fingers crossed that Ronaldo and Messi remain healthy and also have good reasons to play in that fixture.