LONDON —
Cristiano Ronaldo will miss
Manchester United’s Premier League clash at Liverpool on Tuesday as the
Portugal star mourns the death of his newborn son.
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Ronaldo revealed the news on social media on Monday,
sparking an outpouring of support for the striker and his family from across
the football world.
United confirmed on Tuesday that Ronaldo would not
play in his team’s crucial meeting with bitter rivals
Liverpool.
“Family is more important than everything and
Ronaldo is supporting his loved ones at this immensely difficult time,” a
statement on United’s website said.
“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.”
Ronaldo and his partner
Georgina Rodriguez had
revealed in a social media post last October that the couple was expecting
twins.
They confirmed the birth of a baby daughter at the
same time as revealing their son’s death.
“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,” Ronaldo and Rodriguez said in a jointly signed statement.
“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.”
The couple, who met during Ronaldo’s time at
Real Madrid, have a four-year-old daughter together, while Ronaldo has three other
children.
Ronaldo’s United team-mates joined the outpouring of
sympathy.
“Thoughts are with you and Georgina, brother I’m so
sorry,” forward Marcus Rashford wrote on Twitter.
Goalkeeper David de Gea responded to Ronaldo’s
announcement with a simple heart emoji.
“All of us here at Liverpool FC send our deepest
condolences to you, Georgina, and the family,” Liverpool tweeted.
Ronaldo had scored a hat-trick in United’s 3–2 win
against Norwich at Old Trafford on Saturday.
His absence will
be a major blow to fifth-placed United as they seek to improve their top four
prospects against Liverpool, who can go above
Manchester City to the top of the
table if they avoid defeat.
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