Messages of support from celebrities, teammates, and members of the public have been flooding in after Cristiano Ronaldo publicly announced the tragic death of his newborn son last night.
The Manchester United star and his long-term girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez announced back in October 2021 that they were expecting a second set of twins, but issued a joint statement on social media yesterday to reveal with the “deepest sadness” that their newborn son had passed away.
The couple confirmed the birth of their baby girl, and said the arrival of their daughter gave them “the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness”.
They said it was “the greatest pain any parents could feel”.
The couple’s statement reads in full: “It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away.
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“It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel and 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 couple with children Cristiano Jr, twins Eva and Mateo, and shared daughter Alana / Credit: Cristiano Ronaldo (via Twitter)
Following the announcement of the heartbreaking news, messages of love and support for the the couple have been flooding in on social media from a number of famous names, fans, teammates, and current and former clubs the Portuguese striker has played for during his career.
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Current club Manchester United lead the tributes on social media: “Your pain is our pain, Cristiano.
“Sending love and strength to you and the family at this time.”
“Thoughts are with you and Georgina brother. I’m so sorry,” Marcus Rashford said on Twitter.
Other Manchester United players to share their messages of support on social media include goalkeeper David de Gea, full-back and fellow Portugal teammate Diogo Dalot, left-back Alex Telles, and club captain Harry Maguire.
Spanish club Real Madrid, which Cristiano notably played for from 2009-2018, issued a statement on social media, reading: “Real Madrid CF, 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 Rodríguez, were expecting.
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“Real Madrid joins the pain of the whole family and wants to show them all our love and affection.”
Juventus, the Italian club Cristiano played for between 2018-2021 before joining Manchester United said in their statement on social media: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Georgina and the whole family during this time.”
A number of other Premier League and international teams also shared messages of support.
Manchester City said in a statement: “Everyone at Manchester City sends our deepest condolences to you and Georgina.”
“All of us here at Liverpool FC send our deepest condolences to you, Georgina and the family,” Liverpool FC said.
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Everyone at Manchester City sends our deepest condolences to you and Georgina. 💙
The Premier League’s official Twitter account also shared a statement, which read: “The thoughts and condolences of everyone at the Premier League are with you and your family, Cristiano.”
Gary Lineker said: “Terribly sad news. Sincere condolences to you and your family.”
Legendary Brazilian forward Pele wrote on Instagram: “My friend, I send you my prayers and my feelings at this very difficult time. May God comfort your hearts and enlighten every step of the way.”
“Sending our heartfelt condolences to you and your family for your unimaginable loss,” Sir Kenny Dalglish said on Twitter.
Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan wrote on Instagram: “Heartbreaking news. My deepest condolences to you and all your family.”
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Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Dr Alex George, Jacqueline Jossa, Jake Quickenden were among some of the other famous names to shares messages of support on Instagram.
Pop-up park and rides announced to manage ‘sheer volume’ of people travelling to Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
Four new pop-up park and rides will open in Greater Manchester from this week, to help people travelling into the city centre over the Christmas period.
Transport for Greater Manchester has announced the scheme will kick in to handle the ‘sheer volume’ of people heading into town for festive events and Christmas shopping, with around 80,000 extra trips made in one weekend alone last year.
The news comes after a weekend that saw car parks congested and the city streets gridlocked with traffic.
TfGM is now encouraging people to use public transport – including the new park and ride services – instead of driving this winter.
The four park and rides will provide an extra 1000 free parking spaces, with frequent bus shuttles then completing journeys into Manchester city centre.
Millions of people are expected to visit this year for events including the Manchester Christmas Markets, shopping, football matches, concerts and nights out.
The Bee Network is hoping to help all those people save cash, beat traffic, and keep the city centre moving.
Other measures being introduced this year, as part of a joint approach by TfGM, Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP), include later-running trams at weekends, temporary parking restrictions and traffic measures, and round-the-clock CCTV monitoring.
Trams will run until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays over the Christmas period, with extra double trams running at busy times.
Temporary weekend parking restrictions are being introduced on Swan Street and Liverpool Street, with weekend closures inbound on Corporation Street to reduce congestion around Shudehill, and a no right turn from the Arndale car park to ease congestion on Withy Grove.
The four new park and rides, with 1,000 extra parking spaces, will be open every Saturday and Sunday from this Saturday (22 November) until 21 December.
They’ll be located at Booth Street West, Central Park, Belle Vue and Irwell Place.
People are urged to plan their journeys carefully this Christmas.
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM said: “Christmas is one of the best times to enjoy Manchester – so much is going on and there’s such a buzz to the city centre. Our message is clear … the Bee Network is the best way to get there and home again. Board the bus, jump on the tram and plan your journey in advance.
“With plenty of frequent buses and trams to and from the city centre, single bus fares from just £2 and trams from just £1.40, the Bee Network is the easiest, quickest and most affordable way to travel this Christmas.
“Our pop-up park and rides mean you don’t need to struggle for parking in the city centre, but can park for free and finish the journey on a dedicated bus for just £2 single or £4 return and completely free for under 16s.
“As well as the new pop-up park and rides, there’s also 24 park and ride sites across Greater Manchester where you can park for free and jump on the tram – with all the locations and latest tram times available in the Bee Network app.
“We know roads and the network are going to be really busy, especially at weekends. That’s why we’re working closely with Manchester City Council and GMP on a joined-up approach to keep people moving safely around the city as they experience the brilliant things it has to offer.”
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport, said: “Christmas is always a hectic period on our roads and this year we are redoubling our collective efforts to keep the transport network moving across Greater Manchester.
“With millions of people set to visit Manchester City Centre we are urging people to plan their journeys ahead of time and where possible, leave the car at home. There are a huge number of ways to get to town, be that a bus, tram or train, and these will often be a quicker and cheaper alternative.”
GMP appeals after pedestrian potentially involved in police pursuit dies following M60 collision
Emily Sergeant
A public appeal has been issued after a pedestrian was killed following a collision between the M60 and M66.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the pedestrian – confirmed to have been a 19-year-old man – was struck by a vehicle travelling southbound on the M66 as it meets the M60 at Simister Island at around 9:40pm this past Sunday evening (16 November).
According to investigating officers, it’s believed the deceased male may’ve been in a car previously involved in a pursuit with a GMP patrol.
A blue BMW X3 was initially spotted driving at speed on Bury Old Road and then went through a red light, which led to a police pursuit.
Police lost sight of the vehicle, before subsequently finding it on the Junction 18 roundabout of the M60, where it was believed to be abandoned after having collided with another vehicle, and the passengers had fled the scene on foot along the motorway.
Once the BMW passengers had fled the scene, this is what is thought to have lead to a collision with a Tesla – where the 19-year-old man sadly died.
Now, police are appealing to the public for information, witnesses, and CCTV or dashcam footage.
At this time, no arrests have been made in relation to the incident, and in line with what is said to be ‘normal procedure’, referrals have been made to GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation.
Speaking as the appeal has been issued, DC Ian Lawton from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: “Officers initiated a pursuit in accordance with policy after a vehicle failed to stop for police after being seen driving at speed, and the subsequent collision and tragic fatal injuries are now part of an independent review with the IOPC.
“We extend our condolences to the family, and are appealing for anyone with information to please come forward and report.”
Can you help? Any with any information is asked to contact GMP on 0161 856 4741, quoting reference number 3150 of 16/11/2025, or information can also be shared using the ‘report’ tool or LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – David Dixon (via Wikimedia Commons)
Emily Sergeant -
19th April 2022 
