Cristiano Ronaldo arrived on his home island of Madeira today to be with his mother who was rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke this morning.
The Juventus forward was driven straight to Dr Nelio Mendonca Hospital in the capital Funchal to be with his mother Dolores Aveiro, 65, after touching down in his private jet from Italy just after 4pm today.
He was accompanied by partner Georgina Rodriguez and his eldest son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, known as Cristianinho.
The family said nothing to waiting journalists as they hopped into a people carrier in the VIP area of the airport as they reached the hospital.
Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (right), his Spanish partner Georgina Rodriguez (left) and his son Cristiano Jr arrive at Madeira airport in Funchal this afternoon
Ronaldo (right) and his family are pictured landing at Madeira airport today to visit his mother, who is in hospital after having a stroke. Local media reported that his mother, Dolores Aveiro, 65, is ‘stable’ and ‘conscious’ after undergoing a technique which involves the removal of a blood clot from the artery through a catheter
Ronaldo is pictured getting into a car after arriving on a flight earlier today in Madeira, Portugal to visit his mother, who was hospitalised after a stroke
Local reports said Cristiano walked into the ward via a back entrance to avoid reporters and fans who had gathered outside the main entrance.
Dolores was rushed to the hospital around 5am this morning.
She is understood to have received mechanical thrombectomy, a technique which involves the removal of a blood clot from the artery through a catheter.
She was said to be ‘conscious and stable’ earlier today although the hospital has made no official comment on her condition following a request for privacy from her family who have also stayed silent so far.
Cristiano is set to remain overnight in Madeira but is expected to leave tomorrow morning unless his mother’s condition worsens so he can be back in Italy in time for his side’s cup match against Milan in the evening.
Dolores’ health drama occurred hours after she posted a selfie showing her enjoying a day out on her home island.
She looked happy and relaxed as she posed for the photo yesterday/on Sunday by a monument in Machico, a small city on Madeira’s east coast which was the island’s first settlement.
The mother-of-four, who has more than two million followers on Instagram, wrote alongside the photo: ‘Happy Sunday to everyone.’
Her daughter Katia responded with a heart emoticon and the words: ‘My darling mum.’
A follower responded: ‘Happy Sunday to you too Dolores. You’re looking very nice.’
At the start of last year Dolores revealed she was ‘fighting for her life’ after a new cancer drama.
She beat breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in 2007.
But in February last year ahead of a trip to Italy to celebrate her footballer son’s 35th birthday she admitted to new health problems.
She told a Portuguese TV station in a interview: ‘I was operated on another breast in Madrid, I’ve had radiotherapy and now I’m fighting for my life.’
Local media reported this morning that Aveiro (pictured with the football star last year) was rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke
Dolores had looked happy and relaxed as she posed for these photos in recent days
One local report says she has suffered an ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. This is the most common type of stroke.
Cristiano’s brother Hugo Aveiro, who also visited their mother yesterday, was quoted as saying: ‘Everything’s okay’ as he left the hospital.
Local media reported earlier today that Dolores was ‘conscious and stable.’
‘All we can say is that he’s not at training for personal reasons,’ a Juventus spokesman said earlier today without giving further details.
Wellwishers offered the 65-year-old their support on social media today.
One said: ‘Get well soon Dolores. Portugal is with you.’ nother added: ‘Stay strong Dolores. Everything will be okay. We will be praying for you.’
Ronaldo with his mother Dolores in 2016, when the Portuguese football star was still playing for Real Madrid
One local TV report described the next 12 hours as ‘decisive’ and described Dolores’ stroke as ‘severe’.
Sporting Lisbon, where Ronaldo started his senior career before he signed for Manchester United, wished Dolores a speedy recovery today.
Ronaldo’s mother is an ambassador for the club’s foundation.
The club said in a statement: ‘Sporting Clube de Portugal wishes Dolores Aveiro all the best and wishes she makes a speedy recovery.’
At the start of last year Dolores revealed she was ‘fighting for her life’ after a new cancer drama.
She recovered from breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in 2007.
In 2009, then-Manchester United star Ronaldo donated £100,000 to build a new cancer centre at the hospital where his mother was treated.
Ronaldo is pictured left with his mother when he played for Manchester United in 2009, and right playing for Juventus
But in February last year ahead of a trip to Italy to celebrate her son’s 35th birthday she admitted to new health problems.
She told a Portuguese TV station in a interview: ‘I was operated on another breast in Madrid, I’ve had radiotherapy and now I’m fighting for my life.’
There has been no official comment from the hospital today, and there was no immediate response to the news from the footballer’s representatives in Portugal.
Two days ago, Dolores had looked happy and relaxed as she posed for a photo by a monument in Machico, a small city on Madeira’s east coast.
The 65-year-old, who has more than two million followers on Instagram, wrote alongside the photo: ‘Happy Sunday to everyone.’
Her daughter Katia responded with a heart image and the words: ‘My darling mum.’ A follower responded: ‘Happy Sunday to you too Dolores. You’re looking very nice.’
The previous day she posted another photo thought to have been taken from the roof terrace of her home on the island with a message saying: ‘Good weekend to everyone.
‘Take advantage of this sun to enjoy a stroll, but don’t forget to protect your eyes with sunglasses.’
Dolores has been a devoted follower of her son’s career, frequently celebrating on the pitch with him after his footballing triumphs.
‘Ronaldo would not be where he is without his mother,’ said Francisco Afonso, Ronaldo’s first coach at the small local club CF Andorinha, in 2015.
Last year, Dolores stood firmly by her son’s side when he was accused of rape in a now-abandoned criminal investigation.
She said last February that she had ‘confidence in my son when it comes to what happened’ during the visit to Las Vegas at the centre of the claim.
The mother-of-four also lashed out at Ronaldo’s American accuser, saying she ‘didn’t go to his hotel room to play cards’.
Ronaldo is due to play in an Italian cup semi-final against AC Milan on Wednesday evening.
The 35-year-old was born in Madeira and began his youth career there before moving to Sporting Lisbon.