Paris (AFP) - Manchester United star and Portugal national football team captain Cristiano Ronaldo announced Monday the death of one of his newborn twins, in a post on Twitter.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our child (the boy),” the Portuguese star said in a joint post with his Argentine-born girlfriend, Spanish model Georgina Rodrigues, describing this moment as “the worst pain any parent can feel” and asking for privacy at this difficult time.

"Only the birth of our little girl gives us the strength to live this moment with a little hope and happiness," added the couple, who announced at the end of last year that they were expecting twins.

The 37-year-old five-time Golden Ball winner is the father of four children, including three before meeting Georgina Rodriguez, of unknown mothers.