Mother of Manchester United and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to abort him

Ronaldo now leads the line at Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo's mother has revealed how her superstar son jokes about her revelation that she wanted to abort him.

 

Dolores Aveiro first made the extraordinary admission about trying to terminate the pregnancy in her autobiography which was published last year.

But she repeats the story in the new film ‘Ronaldo’ which charts the Real Madrid star's rise from humble beginnings in Madeira to his status as one of the greatest players in the history of football.

Dolores, who had already had three children, said: "He was a child I wanted to abort. We laugh about it now and he says 'now I am helping you all."

 

In the film, Ronaldo opens up about the loss of his father, Dinis, an alcoholic who died at the age of 53 in 2005, when he was playing for Manchester United. He chartered a private jet to fly his father to London for treatment in a desperate attempt to save his life but he died of liver damage.

"He would drink nearly every day," said Ronaldo. "It frustrates me that he was never able to see my successes. We were never emotionally close. I wish my father had been different."

Ronaldo's regret over his lack of a relationship with his father contrasts to the close bond he has with his five-year-old son, Cristiano Jr, with whom he has sole custody.

 

Ronaldo came to United as an exciting prospect, but left one of the world's best footballers

Despite massive speculation over the identity of the mother, he insists he will never reveal who she is  - but will tell his son the circumstances when he is older.

The film, from the makers of the acclaimed 'Senna' documentary about the life of Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, and ‘Amy’, the story of singer Amy Winehouse, follows a year in the life of Ronaldo.

It reveals his obsession with the Ballon d'Or and his intense rivalry with Lionel Messi, although he reveals his relationship with the Barcelona superstar has become warmer.

 

Ronaldo says: "Over the past year our relationship has improved. I now see him not as a rival but as a person. I see him as someone who makes me a better player and I make him a better player. We bust our balls to be better than each other."

One of the most memorable scenes in the film comes when Messi comes over to Ronaldo and his son prior to the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich earlier this year and kisses Ronaldo Jr on the cheek.

Ronaldo, who was 30 earlier this year, has won the coveted prize three times – including the last two years – but Messi has won it four times.

’Ronaldo’ is released in cinemas, on DVD, Blue-Ray and digital download on Monday.