Heart problemCristiano Ronaldo's footballing career was almost ended before it began when he had to have heart surgery at the age of 15.
Dolores Aveiro (mother of Ronaldo) said: 'His heart raced a lot when he wasn't running. 'They used a sort of laser to cauterise the source of the problem. He was operated on in the morning and came out at the end of the afternoon. 'Before we knew exactly what he had, I was worried because there was the possibility of him giving up playing football. 'But the treatment went well and after some days he was back at training again. 'Cristiano wasn’t very worried - he didn’t take the situation very seriously - but I got a big fright. 'It seems the treatment allowed him to run even faster!' |
Death of Ronaldo's FatherThe biggest adversity Ronaldo has faced was his father's death in 2005.
Ronaldo’s dad Dinis died in September 2005 with a chronic liver condition but his memory has driven the double Player of the Year on to glory. With the backing of his family and a photograph of his dad the 28-year-old has been able to take England by storm. “It was a very difficult moment. It’s not normal to lose your father at 20 years of age and you learn a great many things about yourself at such times,” said Ronaldo. “Family is the most important support I have. I think if you don’t have a good relationship with your family then everything becomes more difficult. “My father was No 1 in my life. He is always in my heart. I have a picture of him in my house, which I put up in a high position so I know he is always watching over me. “I remember all the good things about him. He helped me a lot. “I give grace to God for giving me a great family – my mother, my sisters, my brother, my cousins, even my brother-in-law. They have all been very important people in my life. “It’s so important for a player to have his head in the right place. If you don’t have your head in the right place it becomes difficult.” As he lost his father a such a young age, he nearly fell into depression during the golden periods of his career. Financial CrisisAnd because his family were in such harsh situations, supporting three children already, being worried that she might not be able to support all of them, Mrs Aveiro admitted that she tried to abort Ronaldo – who is the youngest of four children – by drinking warm beer and running ’till she dropped’ following the refusal of doctors to carry out the procedure.
She said: ‘I wanted to abort but the doctor didn’t support my decision.’ Although he was very young and did not know about this until he got older, the moment he heard this confession from hie mother, he would have been shocked. This proves how his family's financial situation was very serious. And needed serious support that his father could not provide. |