Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo & Georgina Rodriguez announce baby son’s death as footballers send condolences

Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez have announced the tragic death of their baby son in a heartbreaking statement.

The sad news was revealed by the couple in a joint statement posted on the Manchester United and Portugal forward’s social media accounts on Monday evening (18 April).

The post read: “It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away. It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel.

“Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness. We would like to thank the doctors and nurses for all their expert care and support.

“We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time.

“Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you.”

Ronaldo had announced in a post on social media in October last year that he and Rodriguez were expecting twins.

Messages of support

Fellow footballers, including David de Gea and Alex Telles, along with fans of the Portuguese star sent messages of support and condolence in response to the news.

A message on United’s Twitter account on Monday evening read: “Your pain is our pain, Cristiano. Sending love and strength to you and the family at this time.”

The 37-year-old’s United team-mate Marcus Rashford tweeted: “Thoughts are with you and Georgina brother. I’m so sorry.”

Ronaldo’s former club Real Madrid said in a statement: “Real Madrid, its president and board of directors are deeply saddened by the passing of one of the children that our dear Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner, Georgina Rodríguez, were expecting.

“Real Madrid shares in the family’s pain and wishes to send them all of our warmth.”

Manchester City, Liverpool, Leeds and the Premier League were among many others sending the couple messages of condolence on Twitter.

How many children do the couple have?

Ronaldo now has five children following the recent birth of the couple’s baby girl. Together they also share a four-year-old daughter, Alana Martina, three.

The United star also has three other children, Cristiano Jr, 11, and twins Eva and Mateo, 4.

Ronaldo’s eldest son Cristiano Jr. was born in the United States in 2010 but was immediately taken back to Madrid to be raised in Spain. The identity of his mother is unknown.

In June 2017, he surprised fans with the news he had welcomed twins Eva and Mateo through a surrogate, and just one month later he and Rodriguez announced they were expecting their first child together.

Ronaldo met Rodriguez when she was working as a shop assistant for Gucci in the Spanish capital while he was playing for Real Madrid.

• If you are affected by this story, you can contact Sands, a charity which can offer support to anyone affected by stillbirth or neonatal death, via its website or on 0808 164 3332,