Ronaldo missing from Manchester United squad, won’t play against Liverpool

Manchester United has released a statement to confirm Cristiano Ronaldo will be missing from the team after the death of his baby son.

Cristiano Ronaldo will not play in the blockbuster showdown against Liverpool following the tragic death of his baby son.

Ronaldo on Tuesday announced on Instagram one of his twin babies died after his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez gave birth.

The 37-year-old was missing from the United squad as his teammates arrived at the club’s training centre in Carrington ahead of Wednesday morning’s (AEST) Premier League clash, The Sun reports.

United confirmed he would not be playing in a follow-up statement.

“Family is more important than everything and Ronaldo is supporting his loved ones at this immensely difficult time,” the club 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 Rodriguez announced they were expecting twins – a boy and a girl – in October last year.

But the Manchester United ace today revealed their baby boy has sadly passed away. He said that his newborn daughter is “giving us the strength to live”.

Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP

Supplied Georgina and Cristiano announced they were having twins in October

Ronaldo tragically wrote on social media: “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.

“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.”

Manchester United tweeted: “Your pain is our pain, Cristiano. Sending love and strength to you and the family at this time.”

Rodriguez and Ronaldo have suffered an unfathomable loss. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

In October, Ronaldo and Rodriguez shared a cute snap of themselves holding their baby scans, captioned: “Delighted to announce we are expecting twins.

“Our hearts are full of love - we can’t wait to meet you.”

Before Rodriguez fell pregnant, Ronaldo was already a dad of four, with three of his children born to two surrogate mothers.

Ronaldo is a dad to Cristiano Jr, 11, twins Eva and Mateo, four, and three-year-old Alana Martina, who Rodriguez gave birth to.

And his newborn daughter now makes him a father-of-five.

The Portugal superstar met Rodriguez in 2016 when she worked in a Gucci store in Madrid. It’s believed she caught his eye in the VIP area of a Dolce & Gabbana event.

Rodriguez has followed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner from Madrid to Turin and then Manchester, as he left Real Madrid for Juventus and United.

Just days ago, she was pictured posing in a pink dress in an old school yellow Corvette.

In March this year, she gushed on Instagram about Ronaldo being the “best dad in the world”, posting loving snaps of their family.

Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro wrote a heartbreaking tribute after the tragic news came to light.

She wrote on Instagram: “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 little angel is already on father’s lap.

“And our little girl who is here firm and strong and healthy will teach us more and more that only love matters.”

Tributes poured in for Ronaldo and his family following the devastating announcement. Fellow Manchester United star Marcus Rashford said: “Thoughts are with you and Georgina brother. I’m so sorry.”

Piers Morgan added: “Desperately sad news.”

This story was originally published by The Sun and has been reproduced here with permission.