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.
Pussycat Dolls at Co-op Live – tickets, times and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
American girl group Pussycat Dolls have reunited for a UK tour, stopping off at Co-op Live in Manchester with their powerhouse pop anthems.
Releasing their first LP in 2005, this pop girl group have a variety of radio hits to their name like ‘Don’t Cha’, ‘When I Grow Up’ and ‘Buttons’.
Over the years, the Pussycat Dolls lineup has gone through significant changes with this latest reunion comprised of Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberley Wyatt and Ashley Roberts.
The trio even released some brand-new material to coincide with the announcement of their UK and EU tour titled ‘Club Song’.
Now the girls are about to put their Doll Domination to the test as they bring their PCD Forever Tour in arenas across the nation.
Gig guide – Pussycat Dolls at Co-op Live, Manchester
Doors for Pussycat Dolls at Co-op Live open from 6pm with a start time listed of 7pm with Lil’ Kim and rising girl group Deja Vu kicking things off.
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning you can get home and loosen your ‘Buttons’, hopefully before the clock strikes twelve.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
RSPCA appeals after French bulldog found dead in Oldham canal
Daisy Jackson
The RSPCA has launched an appeal for information after finding a French Bulldog dead in a canal in Oldham.
The dog was discovered by a dog walker earlier this week, floating in the middle of a canal in Chadderton.
The French Bulldog was wearing a pink-red lead and matching collar, which were wrapped around his head and front leg.
He did not have a microchip, but the charity is hoping his lead might help him to be identified.
The dog was found at around 12.20pm on Monday 5 October on a section of the canal near Middleton Road.
The harness and lead the French bulldog was found wearing in the canal. Credit: RSPCA
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Beth Fazackerley said: “This was an incredibly upsetting incident for the member of the public who made this distressing discovery, and it is heartbreaking that this poor dog was found in such circumstances.
“We are keen to establish what happened, and would urge anyone who was in the area around Middleton Road at midday, on October 5, and may have information about what happened, to get in touch.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01919098.
Emily Sergeant -
19th April 2022 
