Real Madrid have revealed that star striker Karim Benzema has tested positive for Covid-19.
The Liga giants, who are now working under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, are in the process of piecing together their plans for 2021-22.
A France international forward will play no part in pre-season training for the foreseeable future as he must now take in a period of self-isolation.
A brief statement on the Blancos’Ā official websiteĀ reads: “Real Madrid C. F. confirm that our player Karim Benzema has tested positive for Covid-19.”
He will not be cleared to rejoin the rest of Ancelotti’s squad before a negative test has been posted.
Benzema hasĀ already made a delayed return to the Real fold following his involvement with France at Euro 2020.
Having been welcomed back from the international wilderness by Didier Deschamps, theĀ 33-year-old hit four goals for his country before dropping out in the last 16.
Ancelotti would have been looking forward to being reunited with a familiar face in the Spanish capital.
The Italian coach is back at Santiago Bernabeu for a second spell following the departure of Zinedine Zidane.
He previously oversaw two 20-plus goal seasons for Benzema at Real between 2013 and 2015, with a famous La Decima triumph in the Champions League savoured along the way.
