June 29, 2017
Portugal captain and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed the birth of his twin boys via a surrogate mother, announcing the news just hours after Portugal were eliminated from the FIFA Confederations Cup following a penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile.
Ronaldo, who already has a seven-year-old son - Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr - from a previous relationship, has been allowed to return home after he confirmed he had become a father for the second time.
“I was in the service of the National Team, as it always happens, body and soul, even though I knew my two sons were born,” Ronaldo said in a statement on Facebook.
“Unfortunately, we have not been able to achieve the main sporting objective we wanted, but I am sure we will continue to give the Portuguese joy.
“The President of the Portuguese Football Federation and the National Selector had an attitude today that sensitized me and I will not forget.
“I am very happy to finally be able to be with my children for the first time.”
The 32-year-old will be allowed to miss Portugal's third-place play-off against either Germany or Mexico in order to return home to his young family.