Cristiano Ronaldo has announced the death of his baby son in a heartbreaking statement uploaded to Instagram.
The update was signed off on behalf of both the Manchester United icon and his partner Georgina Rodriguez. It read: "It is with our deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our baby boy. It's the greatest pain any parent 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. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez."
Devastated Ronaldo said his newborn daughter was giving both he and Georgina "strength" following the tragedy.
The news comes just weeks after Georgina had posted a touching tribute to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner as they eagerly awaited their new arrivals. "Every day by your side is happy and special," she said on Instagram. "We love you indefinitely. Thank you so much to the best dad in the world."
Georgina first met Ronaldo while working as a shop assistant for Gucci while the forward was plying his trade for Real Madrid. She has formed a close bond with Ronaldo's other children in Cristiano Jr, 11, twins Mateo and Eva and gave birth to their first child together Alana before falling pregnant again last year.
Ronaldo's girlfriend spoke candidly earlier this year about how well the family were adjusting to life back in Manchester after the forward's return to Old Trafford. Speaking to Spanish magazine Hola, Georgina said: "I haven’t felt much change because we practically have the same conditions as in Italy and we have a marvellous home.
"The good thing is that we live nearer the children's school. In Italy we lived further away."
"I haven’t noticed much difference. When you move with your family and you move everything you feel at ease. With our conditions we can’t complain, quite the opposite. We are very grateful."
Ronaldo's Man Utd teammate Marcus Rashford responded to the update with a heartfelt reply that read: "Thoughts are with you and Georgina brother." His sentiments were echoed by fellow United star David de Gea, who simply posted a red heart in response.
Team-mates and rival players and rallied round the couple to offer poignant condolences and Ronaldo's system posted a heartbreaking tribute to her nephew.
Manchester United's official twitter page also wrote: "Your pain is our pain Cristiano. Sending love and strength to you and the family at this time."
Speaking on her Netflix series 'I am Georgina' in January, she shed light on how she was coping with the pregnancy before her due date. "I look after myself and at the moment I'm not putting on a lot of weight. I had a lot of morning sickness at the start but I’m fine now.”
Ronaldo's sister addressed the tragedy in an open letter to the United star in which she explained “Our little angel is already on daddy’s lap" in reference to the death of Ronaldo's father Dinis in September 2005.
Katia Aveiro told her brother and Georgina: "I love you and my heart is with you over there. May God take care of you and strengthen your path more and more.
"Our angel is already on father’s lap. And our little girl is there firm and strong and full of health and is going to show us with every day that only love matters."
Ronaldo himself had penned heartbreaking messages to his son before his birth.
Announcing their happy news back in October, Ronaldo shared a relaxed photo of them in bed with their scan.
They captioned it: "Delighted to announce we are expecting twins. Our hearts are full of love - we can’t wait to meet you." They used baby and heart emojis and a blessed hashtag.
At Christmas, they shared another moving family moment on social media - the gender reveal.
Ronaldo shared an adorable clip of his four oldest children Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, twins Eva and Mateo and Alana Martin.
It shows the two boys holding one black balloon, while his daughters hold another, in front of a Christmas tree surrounded by presents.
They then pop the balloons releasing blue and pink confetti across the room while the all four children beam at their proud parents.
Ronaldo captioned the video: "Where life begins and love never ends" with six heart emojis and the hashtag blessed.
Just two weeks ago he took to Instagram to share a family photo, with Georgina's beautiful bump on display. He captioned the beautiful snap: "Family is everything".
