Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez have announced the death of their baby boy, saying it is the “greatest pain that any parents can feel”.
The Manchester United striker had announced that his partner was expecting twins in October. While their daughter survived, sadly their son did not.
In a statement on social media, they said: “It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed awayâ.
“We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult timeâ.
They said the birth of their daughter “gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness”.
“Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love youâ, they wrote.
Pundit Gary Lineker commented: âTerribly sad news. Sincere condolences to you and your familyâ.
Manchester United teammate and England international footballer Marcus Rashford also paid tribute, saying on Twitter: âThoughts are with you and Georgina brother. Iâm so sorryâ.
Jamaican world-record sprinter Usain Bolt, who is a United fan, replied to Ronaldo’s Instagram post with three praying emojis.
âHe is a child that I wanted to abortâ.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, Ronaldo almost never made it out of the womb. The footballerâs mother, Maria Dolores, admitted that when she fell pregnant with Cristiano, she did not want another child.
She said in a documentary: âHe is a child that I wanted to abortâ.
âGod didnât want that to happen and I was blessed because of thatâ.
âSometimes Ronaldo makes fun of me and says âYou didnât want me to be born. But now you see that Iâm here helping all of you.â And, well, sometimes we have a laugh about thatâ.
Right To Life UK spokesperson, Catherine Robinson, said: âChild loss during or after pregnancy is a great tragedy. This remains the case whether the child is wanted or unwantedâ.
âThe smallest of babies, including those who sadly live the briefest of lives, are human beings with dignity. As Ronaldo himself said, losing a child âis the greatest pain that any parents can feelâ.
