Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt has explained why he won't get vaccinated against Covid-19 while sharing his thoughts on reports linking him with a transfer to Barcelona.
De Ligt, who contracted Covid-19 in January, says he has NOT taken the vaccination and believes you should be in charge of your own body.
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He adds that he tries to limit his social contacts amid the global pandemic which has impacted this season and last in Italy.
Reflecting on his term at Juve, he told ESPN.nl via Football Italia: "It was a tough season physically and mentally. A season with ups and downs.
"I was out for three months and then come back and tested positive for Covid.
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"If you had said three weeks ago: 'we will win the Coppa Italia and we will make Champions League football', that would have been good."
On the vaccination, he said: "I have not taken a vaccination, it is not mandatory.
"I think you should be in charge of your own body. The risk of infection is always there. I try to come into contact with as few people as possible outside the Dutch national team."
The Dutchman, still aged just 21, played 36 games in all competitions this campaign with his performance at the back catching the eye of Barcelona who're thought to be keeping tabs on his development.
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But he has played down rumours linking him with a move to Spain.
"I am very happy at Juve. I feel like a fish in water," said De Ligt.
"I feel good on the pitch and appreciated. Would they let me go? There are plenty of clubs that have money problems, but you should ask the club.
"I don't know. These [Barcelona rumours] make no sense now. That is not important to me and nobody has informed me about it."
Featured Image Credit: PA/NOSTopics: Football News, Matthijs de Ligt, Football, Juventus, Covid-19