Cristiano Ronaldo's newborn son dies as twin daughter is born: "Greatest pain any parent can feel"

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Cristiano Ronaldo's newborn son dies as twin daughter is born: "Greatest pain any parent can feel" image

Cristiano Ronaldo's newborn son died on April 18, with the Manchester United star sharing the news on social media, while requesting privacy for his family. 

Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez were expecting twins and the April 18 Instagram message from the Portuguese striker revealed that the twin baby girl was born, but their son did not survive.

Ronaldo is a father to four other children: sons Cristiano Jr and Mateo, and daughters Eva and Alana. Cristiano Jr. is 11 years old, and Mateo and Eva are four-year-old twins. Alana is the first daughter belonging to Ronaldo and Rodriguez born in November 2017. 

After sitting out the April 19 match against Liverpool, Ronaldo returned to the field against Arsenal and dedicated his first goal to his son by pointing to the sky.

Ronaldo, Georgina share news of son's death

Both parents shared a joint message to the player's 432 million followers on Instagram:

"It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away," Ronaldo and Rodriguez wrote. "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."

Outpouring of support for Ronaldo, Georginia

Ronaldo's former club, Spanish La Liga leaders Real Madrid, issued a statement of sympathy to the former Merengues star and his family.

Real Madrid C. F., 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 United also joined in the messages of support:

Ronaldo's sister Katia Aveiro posted a social media message directed to her brother:

"Our little angel is already on daddy's lap," she wrote, in reference to their father who died in Sept. 2005. "I love you and my heart is with you over there. May God take care of you and strengthen your path more and more."

Ronaldo misses Manchester United match vs. Liverpool

Manchester United announced that in the wake of the death of his baby son, Cristiano Ronaldo was to miss the match on April 19 against Liverpool in the Premier League.

"Family is more important than everything and Ronaldo is supporting his loved ones at this immensely difficult time," United wrote in a statement published on the team's website. "As such, we can confirm that he will not feature in the match against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday evening and we underline the family's request for privacy.

"Cristiano, we are all thinking of you and sending strength to the family."

The club also confirmed that a minute's applause, led by the fans, would be held in the seventh minute of the game at Anfield as a mark of respect towards United's No. 7 and his family. The two teams would also wear black armbands.

Liverpool fans pay tribute to Ronaldo

While Ronaldo was not present at Anfield for the match, the opposing fans still showed their support with a classy gesture for an otherwise hated rival.

In the seventh minute of the match, which matches Ronaldo's No. 7 shirt, Liverpool fans applauded for a full minute and sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" to pay tribute to Ronaldo's loss. This was reportedly the idea of Liverpool fans, and was embraced by both clubs.

Ronaldo acknowledged the moving gesture and how much it meant to his family:

The teams also wore black armbands in remembrance of Ronaldo's lost child, a gesture from the United players that was reportedly supported by their counterparts on the Liverpool side.

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