Cristiano Ronaldo’s twin bodyguards ‘investigated for providing security without permission’

Cristiano Ronaldo’s twin bodyguards are being investigated in Portugal for working illegally for the superstar, local reports say.

Brothers Sergio and Jorge Ramalheiro, who previously served in an elite special forces unit in Afghanistan, are on unpaid leave from the Portuguese police while they carry out private security for the Manchester United striker.

But it is illegal to work in Portugal during their period of leave without permission from the force, according to Observador.

The pair could even go on trial for providing unauthorised close protection and will face disciplinary proceedings when they return to the Public Security Police force, reports say. 

They were placed under investigation after they were seen on two occasions working for Ronaldo in Lisbon while on their leave.

Security: Cristiano Ronaldo and his family are being protected by twin brothers Sergio and Jorge Ramalheiro who served in an elite special forces unit in Afghanistan (pictured together in Hale, Greater Manchester)

An insider told The Mirror that carrying out private security without a police licence can result in a jail term of up to five years. 

People who hire unlicensed bodyguards can also face prosecution in Portugal. 

A force spokesman said: ‘We do not comment on cases under investigation.’

There is no suggestion Ronaldo is suspected of any wrongdoing. 

The footballer, 36, who returned to United in August, was seen guarded by the brothers in September shortly after they were hired as he prepared to jet to Switzerland with the squad for a Champions League tie.

One of the twins was also spotted last month at a birthday party organised by Ronaldo’s pregnant girlfriend Georgia Rodriguez for their daughter Alana Martina, four,  in Madrid. 

The brothers, who previously served in an elite special forces unit in Afghanistan, are on unpaid leave from the Portuguese police (pictured driving Ronaldo after United's defeat against Watford in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's final game in charge)

The brothers, who previously served in an elite special forces unit in Afghanistan, are on unpaid leave from the Portuguese police (pictured driving Ronaldo after United’s defeat against Watford in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final game in charge)

Family: One of the twins (pictured right) was also spotted last month at the birthday party organised by his pregnant girlfriend Georgia Rodriguez for their daughter Alana Martina, four, in Madrid

Family: One of the twins (pictured right) was also spotted last month at the birthday party organised by his pregnant girlfriend Georgia Rodriguez for their daughter Alana Martina, four, in Madrid 

The Ramalheiro brothers previously worked for a Portuguese police close protection unit protecting judges and politicians.

Portuguese celeb magazine Flash said the twins, part of a set of triplets, had been hired by Cristiano after they requested to go on leave from the police to pursue other interests.

The third brother, named as Alexandre, is still understood to be working as a police officer.

An insider told local media: ‘Sergio and Jorge dress elegantly and look very normal.

‘They are capable of mixing with the crowd but they are quick to think, see and act at the right moment.’

Cristiano’s security team accompanied him to Manchester Airport for the start of his team’s Champions League campaign against Swiss team Young Boys.

Sergio and Jorge Ramalheiro are former soldiers who fought in Afghanistan before going on to join a Portuguese police close protection unit protecting judges and politicians

Sergio and Jorge Ramalheiro are former soldiers who fought in Afghanistan before going on to join a Portuguese police close protection unit protecting judges and politicians

The stylish pair, whose identities had not been made public at the time, helped the forward with his luggage after dropping him off for the flight.

Reports at the time said the Portuguese international and his family would receive round-the-clock protection following his return to Old Trafford.

The star – who recently announced girlfriend Georgina was pregnant with twins – was said to have taken steps to ramp up his security after being warned he was set to become a ‘magnet’ for criminal gangs.

In the past, Cristiano has been protected by a former MMA fighter and an ex-elite paratrooper.

Former paratrooper Nuno Marecos helped keep the footballer safe when he was playing for Spanish side Real Madrid.

When his identity became public in June 2018, Nuno was described as the leader of a group of bullfighters based in a town near Lisbon. 

Protection: Cristiano's security team caught the eye when the twins accompanied him to Manchester Airport for the start of his team¿s Champions League campaign against Swiss team Young Boys

Protection: Cristiano’s security team caught the eye when the twins accompanied him to Manchester Airport for the start of his team’s Champions League campaign against Swiss team Young Boys

Nuno was tasked with coaxing the bull and encouraging it to charge before grabbing its head and holding its neck while his team join in, 

A former MMA fighter named Goncalo Salgado was also pictured keeping watch on Cristiano at the 2018 Champions League final in Kiev.

The 6ft2ins fighter, who has protected star surfers like Kelly Slater and Gabriel Medina in the past, has an MMA record of seven fights with five KOs as a super heavyweight between 2006 and 2011.

The twins now watching over Cristiano and his family hail from Ansiao near the city of Pombal, which is a two-hour drive north of Lisbon.

Keeping him safe: Reports at the time said the Portuguese international and his family would receive round-the-clock protection following his return to Old Trafford

Keeping him safe: Reports at the time said the Portuguese international and his family would receive round-the-clock protection following his return to Old Trafford 

The siblings joined the army straight from school and ended up in special forces unit the Commandos.

It comes after Cristiano and girlfriend Georgina announced on Instagram last month that they were expecting twins and gushed their ‘hearts are full of love.’

Cristiano, who will welcome his second and third child with Georgina, 27, wrote: ‘Delighted to announce we are expecting twins. Our hearts are full of love – we can’t wait to meet you.’ 

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

The Argentinian beauty shared the same images and caption on her own grid. 

Georgina shares daughter Alana, with Cristiano, and the Manchester United star also has son Cristiano Jnr, 11, and twins Eva and Mateo, four.

Congratulations! It comes after Cristiano and girlfriend Georgina announced on Instagram last month that they were expecting twins and gushed their 'hearts are full of love'

Congratulations! It comes after Cristiano and girlfriend Georgina announced on Instagram last month that they were expecting twins and gushed their ‘hearts are full of love’ 

Announcement: Cristiano, who will welcome his second and third child with Georgina, 27, wrote: 'Delighted to announce we are expecting twins. Our hearts are full of love - we can't wait to meet you'

Announcement: Cristiano, who will welcome his second and third child with Georgina, 27, wrote: ‘Delighted to announce we are expecting twins. Our hearts are full of love – we can’t wait to meet you’

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