Liverpool, Manchester United fans honor Cristiano Ronaldo after death of newborn son
LIVERPOOL, England - Manchester United fans and their Liverpool rivals joined together in a moment of solidarity on Tuesday to show support for Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed the match following the death of his newborn son.
Ronaldo and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, announced the death of one of their newborn twins on Monday.
A moving moment of the match, held at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, came at seven minutes — in honor of Ronaldo’s No. 7 United jersey.
A chant of "Viva Ronaldo" was started by the United fans. There followed a brief rendition from Liverpool supporters of their club anthem — "You’ll Never Walk Alone" — and applause around the stadium. Video captured by @mrs1nil showed the touching scene.
"That is exactly how football should be — all rivalry aside in this moment," Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said. "There is only one thing that is important and it was really a show of class."
Liverpool fans observe a minute applause on seven minutes for the loss of Manchester United midfielder Christiano Ronaldo's child during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on April 19, 2022, in Liverpool, Unit
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."
United lost the game 4-0 to Liverpool.
Ronaldo said the loss of his newborn son was "the greatest pain that any parents can feel."
FILE - Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Norwich City at Old Trafford on April 16, 2022, in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
"Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness," he wrote in the social media post.
"We are all devastated at this loss," the post added, "and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time. Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you."
This story was reported from Cincinnati. The Associated Press contributed.