'I lost oxygen for 25 minutes' - Reina details coronavirus battle

Aston Villa goalkeeper Pepe Reina revealed his acute difficulty breathing after contracting COVID-19.

Source: AAP

Reina, on loan at Aston Villa from AC Milan, started feeling sick around two weeks ago and later tested positive to COVID-19.

"I was very tired after experiencing the first symptoms of the virus,” the 37-year-old told the Corriere dello Sport.

“A fever, dry cough and a headache that never went away. It was just that constant feeling of tiredness.

“The most difficult moment was when I could no longer breathe, the 25 minutes I ran out of oxygen.

"It was the worst moments of my life.

“The only real fear I had was when I understood there was no oxygen: endless minutes of fear, as if suddenly my throat had closed. As a result I spent the first six or eight days indoors.”

Being isolated inside isn't too bad for the former Spain international, at least.

“I haven’t been out for 18 days,” the ex-Liverpool shot-stopper said. “I have great company, though.

"It’s me, my wife Yolanda, five children and two in-laws.

"The house is big and loneliness has no access to my home."