'Skin turned grey, can not speak' - Rustu's wife describes coronavirus symptoms

The wife of Rustu Recber has described her husband's severe initial symptoms after he tested positive for coronavirus.

The former Turkey and Barcelona goalkeeper, who is now retired, was rushed in for treatment at the weekend.

He is still in hospital and his wife Isil has spoken about the early signs of Recber's illness and the progression to 'his skin turning grey' and him being unable to speak.

'The last 72 hours have been very difficult and I hope that from now on they will be better. I want to give infinite thanks to all those who are with us, by our side, right now,' she told Turkish outlet Fanatik, as reported by Marca.

'This is the battle of being against a new virus that has changed in size and is not known to the human body. Early detection are very important.

'This virus does not stay in the throat or nose, it moves quickly and nests in the lungs, where it arrives instantly to multiply and start pneumonia.

'The first 72 hours are very critical. Rustu had a fever for days and hours. Strange symptoms that he has not experienced, felt or seen before. He suffered from strong weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite.

'His skin turned grey, like his lips. He breathed fast and had difficulty in doing so, in addition to a cough that did not end. He also could not speak and he had an irregular pulse.'

Rustu, 46, played 120 times for Turkey and shone as they reached the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

He played 371 times for Fenerbahce in two spells either side of a short stint at Barcelona, before finishing his career with a further five seasons and 124 matches at Besiktas before retiring in 2012.