Christiano Ronaldo loses newborn son

The two announced the death of the baby son in a joint statement posted Monday on social media.

"It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away," Ronaldo and Rodríguez wrote on Twitter on Monday. "It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel."

"Our baby boy, you are our angel," they wrote in the statement on Monday. "We will always love you."

Ronaldo and wife Pulse

The deceased baby was a twin to a baby girl, who fortunately is doing well, giving them the strength to live with "some hope and happiness," Ronaldo and Rodríguez wrote. The pair did not share a cause of death.

“We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time,” they wrote and added, “We would like to thank the doctors and nurses for all their expert care and support.”

Ronaldo's announcement Pulse

The couple met during Ronaldo's time at Real Madrid and have a four-year-old daughter together, while Ronaldo has three other children.

Ronaldo and Rodríguez announced in October last year on social media they were expecting twins. Sad that only one of the two gets to give them joy.

Global child mortality stats

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the total number of under-5 deaths worldwide has declined from 12.6 million in 1990 to 5.0 million in 2020. "Since 1990, the global under-5 mortality rate has dropped by 60%, from 93 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 37 in 2020. This is equivalent to 1 in 11 children dying before reaching age 5 in 1990, compared to 1 in 27 in 2020."

Manchester United tweeted to commiserate with their star, saying, "Your pain is our pain, Cristiano. Sending love and strength to you and the family at this time."

Real Madrid also responded saying on their web page that the club, "its President and its Board of Directors deeply regret the death of one of the children that our beloved Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, were expecting. Real Madrid joins the grief of the whole family and wants to show them all our love and affection."

The world indeed mourns this child.