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Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez took to Instagram on Monday to announce that one of their twin babies had passed away during childbirth.

On April 18, the post went up online that read, "It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away". They described it as the "greatest pain that any parent could ever feel" but said the birth of their baby girl gives them the strength to live this moment with "hope and happiness".

Both Ronaldo and Rodriguez thanked the doctors and nurses for the expert care and support they had shown them. "We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time. Our baby boy, you are our angel, we will always love you," concluded their post.

In October last year the pair had announced that they were expecting twins. The Manchester United star, 37, and Rodríguez, 28, shared photos of the ultrasound on their Instagram accounts and wrote, "delighted to announce we are expecting twins. Our hearts are full of love. We can't wait to meet you."

Later after their announcement they also revealed the gender of their twins — a boy and a girl. The footballer has four children — Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, twins Eva Maria and Mateo and Alana Martina with Rodriguez. The newborn makes him a father of five.