Paris Saint-Germain winger Pablo Sarabia says that beating the coronavirus would be the season's "real victory", rather than if the French side clinch some silverware.
France's Ligue 1 was suspended on March 13, with PSG sitting 12 points clear of Marseille at the top of the table, while having also reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2016.
But Spanish international Sarabia says public health has to come first ahead of getting back onto the pitch.
"No, I'm not afraid about that [the season not restarting], it's not the thing I am worrying about," he told AFP.
"I am thinking about my family first and foremost and then about getting this sorted. This is a critical situation.
"Who knows right now whether the league will restart or not – it is hypothetical and we all need to focus on the pandemic. Coming through this would be the real victory of the season."
Football players have come under pressure to take salary cuts, with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich stars all among those to accept a reduction in pay.
And Sarabia says that the French clubs are also planning to take similar measures.
"All that is in our hands, if we can help, donate something, do what is in our hands, [we will]," he said.
"We are talking about it and our captains are in discussions and all we can do to help PSG and the country in general, we will try to do that."
Sarabia, 27, joined the French champions from La Liga outfit Sevilla last year and has impressed in Paris, scoring 14 goals in all competitions so far this season.
He is hoping to use his unexpected free time to improve his French, having signed a five-year contract with PSG.
"I like to talk and if I don't understand the language and can't communicate that frustrates me a bit," said Sarabia.
"I'm trying to make the most of these days to study and come out with a better level of French."
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Where next for PSG loan man Mauro Icardi?
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Mauro Icardi has scored 20 goals in 31 appearances for PSG this season. However, with reports claiming the Argentine will not stay at the French champions beyond this season, the next five pictures show five potential clubs who could offer Icardi a home. AFP -
Chelsea: A youthful and exciting team but in desperate need of an experienced top-class striker. Icardi fits the bill completely. A consistent goalscorer who offers pace, strength and the ability to work in a fluid attack, the Argentine is exactly the sort of player Frank Lampard needs. Finances shouldn’t be an issue, with Chelsea still in possession of much of the €100m from Eden Hazard’s sale to Real Madrid. Some of that went on Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech, and if the rest (plus a bit more) went on Icardi, the Blues would have a fearsome attacking lineup. AFP -
Juventus: There are some reports claiming Inter Milan will refuse to do business with title rivals Juventus over Icardi, while other reports claim Juve are ready to offer cash-plus-players to land the striker in the summer, including offering Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala. Make of that what you will. Regardless of rumours, Juve have a habit of flexing their financial muscles to handicap rivals and Icardi would represent an upgrade on their current strikers, Cristiano Ronaldo aside. EPA -
Atletico Madrid: It's been a season of struggle and transition for Atletico following the departure of various key players, led by French forward Antoine Griezmann. Indeed, a lack of goals has been the Spanish club’s biggest issue this season – a problem Icardi would be able to help solve. Diego Costa looks a shadow of the player who until recently terrorised Spanish, English, and Champions League defences, while Alvaro Morata does not offer a frequent enough goal return. Icardi and Diego Simeone – two headstrong Argentines – could make for either a fantastic or combustible partnership. Either way, it would be entertaining. Reuters -
Real Madrid: It feels as though Real Madrid are due a bit of a summer clearout. Gareth Bale and his enormous wages are sure to leave the Bernabeu, while the likes of James Rodriguez, Marcelo, and Isco could all make way at the end of the season. Zinedine Zidane remains an avid supporter of his current No 9, Karim Benzema, but Icardi represents a younger, faster upgrade. Icardi has in the past made it clear he would be interested in a move to Real, so if the Spanish giants do make a move, they are likely to be the favourites for his signature. AFP -
Manchester United: As well as Odion Ighalo has done since joining his “dream” club on loan in January, it's safe to assume United will be entering the market for a more prominent forward to add quality to the frontline. Despite falling behind their rivals in the chase for major honours, United would still be able to offer Icardi monster wages, which means he will at least listen to their sales pitch. Champions League football might be a key factor in Icardi’s decision and United are right in the mix for a top four finish – if and when the season concludes. AFP
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PSG's main aim since the takeover by a Qatari investment group in 2011 has been to lift the Champions League trophy, but the capital club have still not reached the semi-finals since 1995.
A last-16 victory over Borussia Dortmund last month, though, having trailed after the first leg, raised hopes that PSG could finally make a serious tilt at European football's greatest prize.
"It was a difficult time when we lost in Dortmund but everything that has happened has shown how united we all are as a team," said Sarabia.
"I could see in the eyes of my teammates that we were going to get through, you could feel it.
"[But] there is still a long way to go before the final, and as I said before I don't think we should be thinking about that just now."
