Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez have shared the first photo of their baby girl following the death of their little boy. The footballer posted to Instagram to share a picture of him holding his newborn daughter with his other four children and Rodriguez.
He wrote: "Home sweet home. Gio and our baby girl are finally together with us. We want to thank everyone for all the kind words and gestures. Your support is very important and we all felt the love and respect that you have for our family. Now it’s time to be grateful for the life that we’ve just welcomed into this world."
The two were born on April 18. Sadly, the little boy did not survive.
Ronaldo became a father for the first time in June 2010 to his son, Cristiano Jr. and then became father to twins, daughter Eva and son Mateo, born in June 2017 in the United States via surrogacy, reports the Mirror.
The Portuguese superstar and his partner issued a statement on social media on Monday evening: "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."
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."
Tributes have poured in following the devastating news. United responded to the 37-year-old's social media post by saying: "Your pain is our pain, @Cristiano. Sending love and strength to you and the family at this time."
Marcus Rashford has also led the response from his Man Utd team-mates in sending messages of support. The forward said: "Thoughts are with you and Georgina brother. I’m so sorry." David de Gea also posted a heart in response to Ronaldo's post.
Ronaldo's sister Katia Aveiro has also addressed the tragedy, referencing their father, who passed away in 2005. She wrote an open letter that read: "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."
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."
