On April 23, one year ago, Cristiano Ronaldo received a heartwarming gesture from Arsenal fans at The Emirates. Cristiano and his wife lost their baby son in a tragic incident, the couple revealed on Instagram through a post.
Ronaldo’s partner, Georgina Rodriguez gave birth to twins, but the former Manchester United striker confirmed that his newborn son had passed away. His post read, “Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness.”
The trip to the Emirates was Ronaldo’s first game back in action after the devastating event. The soccer icon was cheered by the Arsenal fans as he came through the tunnel to warm up ahead of the match. In response, he applauded and acknowledged them back.
One year ago today,
Arsenal fans did a minute of applause in support of Ronaldo & his family, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s tribute to his son. ❤️🕊️ pic.twitter.com/daWh4jKHTH
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) April 23, 2023
All the fans came together in applause at the seventh minute of the game in tribute to Manchester United’s former number 7. A beautiful and heartwarming moment by the fans, which everyone in the soccer world appreciated. Which just showed, how soccer is just more than a sport.
“I don’t think I’m allowed to talk about something like that because unless you experience it you cannot be on the same level to express or to go through the pain,” Arteta said of Ronaldo’s tragic loss. “What this country and league have shown with what happened at Anfield the other day I think is exceptional.””
After going 2-0 down within the first 20 minutes of the match, Cristiano Ronaldo gave his team a ray of hope as he scored his 100th Premier League. The 38-year-old pointed towards the heavens, seemingly paying tribute to his late son.
Cristiano Ronaldo received a tribute from Liverpool fans at Anfield as well
After the death of his son, Ronaldo was understandably not available for selection and as a result, he did play against Liverpool at Anfield. But the Kopites burst into applause in the seventh minute of the fixture. The Anfield crowd sang their anthem, “You Will Never Walk Alone” as a tribute to Cristiano.
SE CUMPLE UN AÑO
Un 19 de abril de 2022 la afición de Anfield mostraba su respeto a Cristiano Ronaldo, por la pérdida de su bebé Ángel, aplaudiendo y entonando el You’ll Never Walk Alone durante el minuto 7 del partido vs Manchester United. ❤️🙌 #CR7𓃵 pic.twitter.com/PosMkcZobO
— ✨ℝ𝕠𝕞𝕚 𝑽𝒊𝒖𝒅𝒂𝑫𝒆𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒐𓃵 (@rom_madridista) April 20, 2023
This moment gave many people literal goosebumps. Manchester United fans joined Liverpool fans in singing the anthem as well. A moment of purity, love, and brotherhood among the fans. Acknowledging the same, Cristiano Ronaldo said, “I won’t forget the unforgettable moment of respect and compassion”.
Days later, Ronaldo shared the first photo of his newborn girl, along with his family. “Home sweet home. Gio and our baby girl are finally together with us,” The Portuguese wrote in his post.