Cristiano Ronaldo posts first photo of his baby twins after surrogate birth earlier this month
Real Madrid star confirmed he had become a dad of three following Portugal's exit from the Confederations Cup
CRISTIANO RONALDO has posted the first picture of his newborn twins born to a surrogate mum in the United States.
The Real Madrid star confirmed he had become a dad of three following Portugal's exit from the Confederations Cup with picture on Instagram captioned: "So happy to be able to hold the two new loves of my life."
Ronaldo, who is used to scoring hat-tricks on the field and has now secured a memorable one off it, released a statement on Facebook.
He wrote: "I was in the service of the National Team, as it always happens, body and soul, even though I knew my two sons were born.
"Unfortunately, we have not been able to achieve the main sporting objective we wanted, but I am sure we will continue to give the Portuguese joy.
"The President of the Portuguese Football Federation and the National Selector had an attitude today that sensitized me and I will not forget.
"I am very happy to finally be able to be with my children for the first time."
The twins will now join the 32-year-old's seven-year-old son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr - whose mother's identity is not known - and his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, who is thought to be five months' pregnant.
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It has been claimed the twins were born on June 8, which fell before the start of the Confederations Cup, which is being held in Russia.
Supermodel Tyra Banks, TV host Jimmy Fallon and actress Sarah Jessica Parker are among the celebs that have had surrogate children.
And David Beckham wrote: "Amazing & congratulations."
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is when a woman carries and gives birth to another person’s baby.
This is often an option for those unable to have children themselves, or for same sex couples.
According to surrogacy charity , there are two different types of surrogacy.
- Traditional surrogacy: When the surrogate uses her own egg fertilised with the intended father’s sperm.
- Gestational surrogacy: The surrogate carries the intended parent’s genetic child conceived through IVF, for which specialist doctors are needed.
The Portugal national team said they were made aware that Ronaldo had become a father again.
Their statement read: "The President of the FPF and the National Team were informed before the Confederations Cup by the National Team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, that he had been a father.
"The athlete, despite the birth of his children, made a point of being in the service of the National Team, in a gesture that we must underline and praise.
"The President of the FPF and the National Selector understand that if it is impossible to reach the goal of winning the Confederations Cup, they must release the athlete so that he can finally get to know his children."
How are surrogate babies conceived?
In traditional surrogacy procedures, the egg is artificially inseminated using a syringe.
Gestational surrogacy is carried out through IVF.
During this in vitro fertilisation process, the egg is removed from the woman’s ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory.
The embryo is then planted in the surrogate’s womb to grow and develop.
This procedure must be carried out by specialist doctors and the biological mother is required to still have working ovaries.
In traditional surrogacy procedures, the egg is artificially inseminated using a syringe.
Gestational surrogacy is carried out through IVF.
During this in vitro fertilisation process, the egg is removed from the woman’s ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory.
The embryo is then planted in the surrogate’s womb to grow and develop.
This procedure must be carried out by specialist doctors and the biological mother is required to still have working ovaries.
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Portugal crashed out of the Confederations Cup after their 0-0 draw against Chile went to a penalty shoot-out.
Ronaldo did not get the chance to take a spot-kick after his team-mates missed their first three efforts.
Manchester City stopper Claudio Bravo denied efforts from Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani as him and his team-mates won 3-0 in the shoot-out.
Ronaldo's newborn twins are 1000/1 shots to both play for Man United or Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, it's 250/1 for either child to be managed by their dad at a professional level.
Alex Apati of said: "It's a long shot but stranger things have happened and we can't rule out any offspring of Ronaldo's following in their father's footsteps one day.'