Cristiano Ronaldo says Manchester United doubted him when ill daughter forced late pre-season return

Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Manchester United of a lack of ’empathy’ after club officials doubted him when he returned late for pre-season due to his daughter’s illness.

The Portuguese star, 37, and his partner Georgina Rodriguez, 28, revealed that their son had died at birth on April 18, but his twin daughter survived.

The couple described his death as ‘the greatest pain’ with tributes flooding in from across the footballing world, which included rival Liverpool supporters singing You’ll Never Walk Alone following a minute’s applause, and beyond.

Ronaldo said he also received a personal note of condolence from the Royal Family while he grieved, The Sun reports.

But he has accused his club of a lack of ’empathy’, particularly when his three-month-old was taken to hospital in July.

It caused him to return late to pre-season training because he wanted to stay with her. 

Ronaldo said officials at the club left him feeling ‘hurt’ and ‘bad’ after he explained the reasoning behind his late return.

Ronaldo said he also received a personal note of condolence from the Royal Family following the death of his son

But the Portuguese football star has slammed Manchester United over a lack of 'empathy' in the months that followed

But the Portuguese football star has slammed Manchester United over a lack of ’empathy’ in the months that followed

The Portuguese star, 37, and his partner Georgina Rodriguez, 28, revealed that their son had died at birth on April 18

The Portuguese star, 37, and his partner Georgina Rodriguez, 28, revealed that their son had died at birth on April 18

His daughter’s sickness came just three months after the tragic death of his baby son.

Announcing his and Georgina’s heartbreaking loss in April, Cristiano penned: ‘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.’

Ronaldo originally shared the news of Georgina’s pregnancy with fans on social media, admitting their hearts are full of love.’

‘Delighted to announce we are expecting twins. Our hearts are full of love – we can’t wait to meet you,’ he wrote in October.

Ronaldo’s post showed himself and Georgina proudly displaying their twins’ ultrasounds, along with an image of his four children swimming together.

Georgina shares daughter Alana with Cristiano. The Manchester United star also has son Cristiano Jr and twins Eva and Mateo from surrogate mothers.

Happy family: Georgina shares daughter Alana, three, with Ronaldo, and the Manchester United star also has son Cristiano Jr., 11, and twins Eva and Mateo, four

Happy family: Georgina shares daughter Alana, three, with Ronaldo, and the Manchester United star also has son Cristiano Jr., 11, and twins Eva and Mateo, four

Devastated: A statement from the couple confirmed the death of their baby boy as 'the greatest pain', but said their baby girl survived

Devastated: A statement from the couple confirmed the death of their baby boy as ‘the greatest pain’, but said their baby girl survived

Ronaldo and Georgina famously met while she was working as a retail assistant in Madrid, as they caught eyes across the rails in a Gucci store in 2016.

In 2020, she admitted that the chance meeting with Ronaldo made her ‘fall in love at first sight’.

It comes as Ronaldo launched an astonishing attack on his club and manager Erik ten Hag that looks certain to end his Old Trafford career. 

Ronaldo also accused club officials of trying to force him out of the club, saying he has no respect for the Dutchman and feels ‘betrayed’.

‘I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me,’ said Ronaldo.

‘Some people, they don’t want me here – not only the coach but the other two or three guys. Not only this year, but last year too.

‘Honestly, I shouldn’t say that. But listen, I don’t care. People should listen to the truth. Yes, I feel betrayed.’

Ronaldo missed United’s last game before the World Cup through illness on Sunday, but Ten Hag will be incandescent that the 37-year-old’s comments will overshadow the 2-1 win at Fulham and Alejandro Garnacho’s injury-time goal.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was allowed back into the squad after apologising and was even made team captain at Aston Villa last week.

However, Ronaldo’s outburst makes it almost impossible for him to stay at Old Trafford beyond the January transfer window, leaving United and Ten Hag with little choice but to find him a new club.

His team-mates were said to be deeply disappointed by his comments on Sunday night and see it as way to force his departure from Old Trafford which they now believe is inevitable.

Ronaldo finished as United’s top scorer last season with 24 goals in all competitions, but Manchester United only managed to finish sixth in the Premier League. 

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk