Arthur Melo: Barcelona midfielder set to miss El Clasico due to treatment of STD infection

Arthur Melo: Barcelona midfielder reportedly set to miss upcoming El Clasico due to an alleged encounter with an STD infection.

Barcelona’s star midfielder is set to miss Barcelona matches for few weeks after he has reportedly encountered an STD infection, and its treatment will keep him away from matches as its dosages can violate anti-doping norms.

According to Andreu Ginola, the reason Arthur Melo did not play against Mallorca was because of a sexually transmitted infection. The club claimed he missed out due to a groin injury, whereas Ginola claims it was due to gonorrhoea.

This would likely see Arthur sidelined for a few weeks: the medicine for gonorrhoea pops up on anti-doping control’s radar, and if tested positive, Arthur would be suspended for months.

https://twitter.com/ZachLowy/status/1203836647718162440?s=20

Therefore, the Brazilian International will be ruled out for the next few games, including the much-hyped first El Clasico of the 2019/20 season. Which brings Ivan Rakitic and Carles Alena up in the pecking order.

Arthur’s position in Barcelona’s midfield was on the verge being cemented as he was able to form a decisive partnership with Frenkie De Jong but this alleged situation marks a halt in the partnership.

As for now, the club has not released any statement regarding this report about Arthur but it remains to be seen what would be the future conduct of the club.

Also read: Video compilation of Lionel Messi on internet tries to suggest why Messi deserves 6th Ballon D’or

Barcelona is currently at the top of the table with an equal number of points to Real Madrid in La Liga. The coming clash between the fierce rivals can possibly bring the difference in the table unless either of the teams loses points in this coming game-week.

Barcelona is on a red hot form as the Blaugranas defeated Mallorca by 5-2 in the last game-week. Lionel Messi scored a hattrick and Luis Suarez scored a splendid backheel chip goal.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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