Cristiano Ronaldo has thanked Liverpool and Manchester United fans for their support following the death of his newborn son.
The United forward missed Tuesday night’s clash at Anfield after being granted compassionate leave and fans from the two rival clubs came together for a minute’s applause, while the home crowd also sang club anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.
“Me and my family will never forget this moment of respect and compassion,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “One world... One sport... One global family... Thanks, Anfield.”
Ronaldo added three hands-praying emojis alongside a video of the Anfield crowd applauding in the seventh minute - the Portuguese star’s number.
The 37-year-old, who has four older children, announced last October that he and his partner Georgina Rodriguez were expecting twins. Their baby girl survived.
A statement from Ronaldo and Rodriguez on Monday said the death of their baby boy was “the greatest pain that any parents can feel”.
“Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness,” the statement added.
