'This is sad': Football world in tears over Cristiano Ronaldo moment
Cristiano Ronaldo paid a heartbreaking tribute to his late newborn son after scoring for Manchester United in his first game since the tragedy.
Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez announced earlier this week that one of their twins had died after being delivered.
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Rodriguez gave birth to a boy and a girl, however the boy didn't make it.
Ronaldo missed the midweek loss to Liverpool while grieving the tragedy, but was back in the starting line-up against Arsenal on Saturday.
He raised his left arm and pointed to the sky after scoring in the 34th minute, with many believing it was a tribute to his son.
For Man United, not even an emotional return for Ronaldo was enough to turn around their fortunes.
The Red Devils likely dropped out of the race for Champions League qualification in a 3-1 loss.
United fell six points behind their top-four rivals and manager Ralf Rangnick all but called time on his team's season.
"I don't think it's very realistic to dream and think of the top four," Rangnick said at the end of a week when they also lost at Liverpool 4-0 and hired a new manager - Ajax's Erik ten Hag - for the start of next season.
Ronaldo's goal made it 2-1 after Nuno Tavares and Bukayo Saka had already netted for Arsenal.
But the Portuguese star declined the chance to take a penalty that compatriot Bruno Fernandes wound up missing, with United manager Rangnick saying: "He just didn't feel as if he should take it."
Granit Xhaka clinched victory for Arsenal with a sweetly struck shot from long range in the 70th minute, completing an excellent week for Mikel Arteta's team after their 4-2 win at Chelsea on Wednesday.
I think the reason was because he (Ronaldo)lost his son,and obviously if he had taken the penalty he will score and jubilate and he can’t celebrate cos he is still sad about the death of his son…
— roland (@rushracunt) April 23, 2022
Damn this sad, I wanted Ronaldo to win his first game after his son passed away but atleast he scored
— Messi Fan 🇦🇷 (@peak_wessi) April 23, 2022
He tweeted this not because of his goal its because of this celebration that he dedicated it to his son who passed away
— ℳ𝓖𝟏𝟎 🇲🇦 (@im_mg10) April 23, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo pointed to the sky in celebration after scoring vs. Arsenal. His baby son died earlier this week. ❤️ https://t.co/t6yuLicUM8
— Osha (@Osha_8423) April 23, 2022
Ronaldo's 100th PL goal was dedicated to his son, tears in my eyes 😭❤️.
— rumaanah7. (@RumaanahI) April 23, 2022
Jesus scores four as Manchester City extend their lead
Elsewhere, Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus scored more goals in just 53 minutes than he'd done in the previous eight months.
Becoming the first player in the league to score four goals in a game this season, Jesus led City to a 5-1 thrashing of Watford which opened up a four-point lead for the champions over second-placed Liverpool in the title race.
Liverpool can trim that back to one point with five matches left but must beat Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.
Jesus has been something of an afterthought at City this season, scoring only three goals in the league before the arrival of next-to-last Watford for a match that ended up resembling a training exercise.
City boss Pep Guardiola reckoned no-one deserved his big day more than his talented Brazilian understudy.
"If there is one person in world football who deserves nights like this it is him," said the Spaniard.
"I am pretty sure there is not one person on the staff, in all the people that know him, who is not happy for him. We are delighted for him."
with agencies
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