Fans at Tuesday’s Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United honoured Cristiano Ronaldo following the death of the player’s newborn son.
Ronaldo and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, announced on social media on Monday that one of their newborn twins had died. Manchester United confirmed that Ronaldo would not travel to face Liverpool on Tuesday evening. A statement read: “Family is more important than everything and Ronaldo is supporting his loved ones at this immensely difficult time.”
During the match at Anfield, fans applauded in the seventh minute of the game, coinciding with Ronaldo’s No. 7 jersey, with “You’ll Never Walk Alone” ringing among the crowd.
“That is exactly how football should be — all rivalry aside in this moment,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said after the match. “There is only one thing that is important and it was really a show of class.”
United has not indicated when the grieving Ronaldo will return to playing.
“It’s the worst that can happen,” United interim manager Ralf Rangnick said. “We are behind him. We are all with him. We wish him and his family that they are strong together.”
Liverpool defeated United 4-0.
Ronaldo had announced last year that the couple was expecting twins. The Portugal star has four older children.
“We are all devastated at this loss,” Ronaldo wrote on the social media post, “and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time. Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you.”
