Ghana and AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien debunks rumors that he contracted Ebola

AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien was at the center of an Internet hoax Sunday, as rumors spread that the Ghanaian contracted Ebola. 

Essien, who will return to training tomorrow in Italy, tweeted that the rumors are completely false.

@MichaelEssien: No truth in internet rumours that I have contracted Ebola.i m very well & I'm doing very gud & will be training as usual tomorrow.#falsenews

The reports were first tweeted by Yury Alkaev, “sports journalist” who previously had not tweeted for more than a month. Despite the dubious nature of his tweets, Alkaev was retweeted hundreds of times and a number of outlets picked up on the story.

Essien, now 31, has been used sparingly at AC Milan this season, but made a substitute appearance against Chievo earlier this month.