Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been allowed to return home from the FIFA Confederations Cup after confirming he has become a father for the second time, following the birth of twin boys via a surrogate mother.
Ronaldo, who already has a seven-year-old son – Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr – from a previous relationship, announced the news just hours after Portugal were eliminated from the tournament, following a penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile.
The 32-year-old forward will be allowed to miss Portugal’s third-place play-off against either Germany or Mexico in order to return home to his young family.
‘I was in the service of the National Team, as it always happens, body and soul, even though I knew my two sons were born,’ said Ronaldo, in a statement on Facebook.
‘Unfortunately, we have not been able to achieve the main sporting objective we wanted, but I am sure we will continue to give the Portuguese joy.
‘The President of the Portuguese Football Federation and the National Selector had an attitude today that sensitized me and I will not forget.
I am very happy to finally be able to be with my children for the first time.’
Ronaldo’s young family could grow even larger in the coming months, with his girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez rumoured to be five months pregnant.
The Real Madrid superstar uploaded a photo to social media last month which showed him affectionately holding Rodríguez’s stomach.
By Mail
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