7 times Cristiano Ronaldo proved that family beats football, from spoiling girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez with Cartier and LV, to buying his mum a US$2.6 million home and admitting he wants 7 kids

Family man extraordinaire, Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo: @cristiano/InstagramCristiano Ronaldo and long-time girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez announced this month that they have tragically lost one of their new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 twins.

“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,” they said in a joint statement. “Our 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 boy, you are our angel. We will always love you.”

The couple added that the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 of their 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 girl was nevertheless giving them “strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness”.

The truth is that family has always come first for the footballing superstar, even before the fame. Here’s how …

1. Saying his mother is his “sanctuary” and “greatest gift”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, worked as a cleaner while he was growing up, and often struggled to afford food for the family. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

That’s how Ronaldo has reportedly described his mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, who he said made huge sacrifices during his tough 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood. “She went to bed hungry to feed me. We had no money. She worked seven days a week and worked nights as a cleaner to buy me a pair of football boots so I could play,” he was quoted as saying by Unique Times. “My whole success is dedicated to her. And as long as she lives, she will always have everything I can give her.”

Cristiano Ronaldo calls his mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, his greatest gift, and began spoiling her as soon as he scored his first contract with Real Madrid. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

Ronaldo has kept his promise. In 2009, after being bought by Real Madrid for a record-breaking US$131.5 million, he bought his mother a US$2.6 million house in the city, according to British media. Reports also detail how he gifted her a Porsche on her 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day back in 2015, and a US$10,800 Mercedes-Benz on Mother’s Day in 2020. He also reportedly regularly splashes out around US$6,300 for his mum and her friends to fly to Cabo Verde and play boules on the beach together.

2. Helping his siblings out financially

Cristiano Ronaldo’s sisters, Katia and Elma. Photo: @katiaaveirooficial/Instagram

The youngest member of the family not only has a close bond with his older siblings, but also looks out for them.

At just 16, Ronaldo, then earning more than his mother, offered to pay for rehab treatment for his brother Hugo, according to British media. Happily, Hugo, 47, is now sober and managing the CR7 museum in their hometown of Madeira, Portugal.Cristiano Ronaldo with his mother and sisters, who he’s been able to help in various ways thanks to his huge wealth. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

Ronaldo also helped his sister Katia hire RedOne, the producer of Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull to help her pursue her music career. She debuted with the stage name Ronalda in reference to him, and went on to become a famous singer in Portugal. Meanwhile, his eldest sister Elma made a living for almost 15 years out of a CR7 shop in Madeira before closing it this year due to her busy schedule, British media reports.

3. Spoiling his girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez

Cristiano Ronaldo’s wealth means he is able to spoil girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez rotten. Photo: @cristiano/InstagramWhen it comes to his partner and kids’ mother, Ronaldo pampers Rodríguez like a princess. For example, she reportedly gets a monthly allowance of around US$110,000 from him in addition to getting around in supercars and enjoying luxury holidays. He also proposed to her with a US$830,000 Cartier engagement ring – believed to be the “most expensive ring a footballer has ever gifted to a WAG [wife and girlfriend]”, according to newspapers – and a giant US$146,000 Louis Vuitton jewellery box to keep her bling in.

4. He always dreamed of becoming a father at a young age

Cristiano Ronaldo with his son, Cristiano Jr., who just signed with Manchester United’s youth academy. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

Ronaldo became a father at 25 when his first 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, Cristiano Jr., was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 in 2010. He has full custody of the 11-year-old and the boy’s mother remains anonymous due to an agreement the pair have. Despite things not working out with Cristiano Jr.’s mum, Ronaldo says he was still totally ready to be a dad. “It was always my dream to have a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 young, when I was 25,” he told EFE.

Like father, like son: Cristiano Jr. is following in his dad’s footsteps. He signed a contract with Manchester United earlier this year after spending two years in Juventus’ academy system while his father was playing in the Serie A. He will become CR7’s second generation at Manchester United, also adopting the famous No 7 shirt.

5. He wants an even bigger family

Ronaldo so enjoyed being a father that he couldn’t wait to have more 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren. In June 2017, he became a father again – this time of twins Eva and Mateo – via a surrogate mother, only a short time after he began dating Rodríguez in 2016.

Advertisement

A few months later in November 2017, he welcomed his fourth 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 (and his first with Rodríguez), daughter Alana Martina.

His fifth new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 girl may not be the last. “I want to have seven 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren and as many Ballons d’Or,” the six-time Ballon d’Or winner told ESPN.

6. Having fun with his fam is his favourite thing

Cristiano Ronaldo the family man: the footballer has always wanted a big family. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

When Ronaldo is not on the field, he’s almost always pictured having fun with his family. After having Cristiano Jr., he discovered that his favourite pastime was playing with him, he told ESPN. Ronaldo’s Instagram is testament to that, full of photos of his family laughing and taking selfies together in their swanky indoor pool and jacuzzi, cycling together or sunning themselves on yachts.

Cristiano Ronaldo once told ESPN that playing with his son was one of his favourite pastimes. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

“Becoming a parent and raising my family is honestly the greatest privilege I’ve had. I’m enjoying every second of it,” he told Hello magazine. “It’s such a unique and personal journey, but something that has completely changed me. It has shown me things about love I never knew existed. It has softened me and given me new perspective on what is really important in life.”

7. He says family is more important than anything

The most recent family photo Cristiano Ronaldo posted on Instagram also included the hashtag “proud”. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

In the latest photo he shared of himself with Rodríguez and the kids in a park, Ronaldo wrote beneath it: “Family is everything.”

“If you don’t have family, life will be very, very tough,” he mused in his biographical film Ronaldo (2015). “My family comes first,” he also said in an interview with Mirror. “After that, it’s the football that matters most to me. Money comes after that.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, Georgina Rodríguez and their 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren dry off after a swim. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram“ I have millions and billions but the most important thing is family,” the world’s richest football player commented. “Keep your family healthy and take care of them because this is the most important thing in the world.”

Source: scmp.com