China striker Wu Lei thanks 'heroes' for tireless fight against coronavirus

Espanyol striker joins AFC's #BreakTheChain public awareness campaign with message after recovering from Covid-19

Wu Lei of Espanyol has thanked healthcare professionals for helping him recover from the coronavirus. Getty

China international Wu Lei has thanked Spanish healthcare professionals and frontline workers for their tireless efforts in the fight against coronavirus, as well as helping him to recover from illness.

Striker Wu, who plays for La Liga side Espanyol, was the first player from China to test positive for the disease which has infected more than 2.38 million and killed nearly 165,000 people.

Wu has been self isolating in Spain and paid tribute to the doctors and nurses that provided treatment for him and thousands of others.

"From my experience of being infected by the virus, I cannot describe the respect I have for doctors and nurses who sacrifice their time and own safety to help patients recover," the 28-year-old winger told the Asian Football Confederation's website.

"I must thank them for taking such good care of me as well as to those who continue to help people affected by the Covid-19."

Wu has joined more than 100 top Asian footballers to promote the AFC's #BreakTheChain public awareness campaign alongside the likes of Al Jazira and UAE striker Ali Mabkhout.

"The medical frontliners have and will always be heroes, so please do not let their efforts go to waste. Listen to the advice of medical experts and the World Health Organisation. We all have a part to play during this pandemic."

Marouane Fellaini, who was the first Chinese Super League player to test positive for the virus on his arrival in China last month, also thanked hospital medical staff and his club Shandong Luneng Taishan after he was discharged last week.

The 32-year-old ex-Belgium midfielder, who joined Shandong in January 2019 from Manchester United, had returned to China last month to join up with his Super League club.