Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his late newborn son after scoring his 100th Premier League goal.
Ronaldo scored in the 34th minute for United in their clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium to trim the deficit to 2-1 and celebrated by raising his left hand to the sky to remember his late son.
Arsenal went on to win the match 3-1 and move up into fourth on the Premier League table, two points clear of Tottenham.
Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez took to Instagram on Tuesday to reveal the tragic news they were mourning the loss of one of their newborn twins.
"It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away," he wrote. "It is 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 couple said they were "devastated" by the loss and called it "the great pain that any parents can feel".
Over 95,000 people commented on the Instagram post with team-mate Marcus Rashford, ex-Real Madrid star Jesé Rodriguez, former Chelsea captain John Terry and Dutch footballer Leandro Fernandes sharing heart and prayer emojis in response.
Manchester United's Instagram account posted: "Your pain is our pain. Sending love and strength to you and the family at this time."
Sunday's (NZ time) match at the Emirates was the first time Ronaldo had been back in action following the death of his son, and in the seventh minute, fans of both teams rose to their feet to show their support for the Manchester United striker.
The goal at the Emirates was Ronaldo's 16th of the current season since rejoining the Red Devils from Juventus in August and the 100th of his Premier League career.
Ronaldo scored 84 goals in his first spell at United from 2003 to 2009 before leaving for Real Madrid.
Ronaldo missed United's match against Liverpool on Wednesday, where supporters also paid tribute to him.
In the seventh minute - a reference to Ronaldo's No.7 shirt - Anfield rose in applause, while singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' to show their support.
Ronaldo thanked everyone for their outpouring of support on Friday when he posted a picture on Instagram of his newborn daughter saying "now was the time to be grateful for the life" he and Rodriguez had welcomed into the world.
Ronaldo already has a four-year-old daughter with Rodriguez, as well as three other children.
