He has been crowned the greatest footballer on the planet three times, takes home an annual pay packet thought to total £50million, and is known for dating a string of supermodels.

Now a remarkable new documentary has underlined Cristiano Ronaldo's fierce beliefs on parenting - and that his son, born to a mystery woman, does not need his mother in his life.

Ronaldo, due to screen on November 9, offers surprising insight into the Portuguese footballer's fierce desire to be a good father and his vulnerabilities stemming from a broken relationship with his own alcoholic dad.

Among the most telling claims captured is his belief his five-year-old son Cristiano Jr 'doesn't need a mother' and that his influence alone 'is enough'.

The new documentary 'Ronaldo' offers unprecedented access to the superstar footballer's life

It shows him as a doting father, determined to be a positive influence on his son Cristiano Jr (pictured together)

Ronaldo refuses to reveal who is the boy's mother, but states he needs only his father to be raised well

The young boy was born under a cloud of mystery in 2010, when the player announced he had become a father and an agreement reached that he would have exclusive guardianship of the child.

His mother's identity, as per the agreement, would remain a mystery.

The statement at the time read: 'As agreed with the baby's mother, who prefers to have her identity kept confidential, my son will be under my exclusive guardianship.'

Although he still refuses to reveal the identity of his son's mother in the documentary, he addresses the rumours he used a surrogate, which have swirled for years.

'People speculate I was with this girl or another, or there was a surrogate mother. I have never told anyone and never will.

'When Cristiano is grown up I will tell him what I did, what I felt, everything that went through my mind.

'Some children never get to know their parents, neither mother nor father. Having a father is enough.'

The documentary contains plenty of footage of the loving father and son together.

Ronaldo is recorded doing press ups with his son on his back, or the two are lying in bed as Cristiano reveals to his father he wants to be a goalkeeper.

Taking in the year in which he helped Real Madrid to 'la decima' - their tenth European Cup - his young son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. says: 'I'm going to be a goalkeeper. Okay dad?'

In this scene, Ronaldo does push ups while his young son sits on his back

In another, he breaks down in tears at being separated from his son following a phone call with the youngster

Ronaldo's huge ego is also on display in the film. During dinner with friends, he reminds them he is the greatest player on the planet then bursts into laughter at his own joke

The Real Madrid star responds: 'A goalkeeper. Are you joking?'

Another scene shows Ronaldo breaking down in tears when his footballing commitments keep him apart from his son.

This intense desire to be a good and loving father stems from his fractured relationship with his alcoholic father Dinis, who died 10 years ago when Ronaldo was 20.

He states: 'If you ask me why my father became an alcoholic I don't know, maybe he was frustrated with life.

'I wanted to a different father who could be more present and to see my achievements.'

The film-makers responsible for the project are those lauded for their documentaries on Brazilian F1 legend Ayrton Senna and musician Amy Winehouse.

The film will be released in cinemas for one night only on November 9

Following the superstar for 14 months, the cameras give viewers a glimpse into the 30-year-old's insecurities, and the loving connection between himself, his mother and his son.

The close relationship between Ronaldo and his mother Dolores is no secret - though she does reveal to documentary makers she wanted to abort him when pregnant.

'I wanted to have an abortion but God did not want that to happen,' she says to camera. 'Cristiano was an unwanted baby but he's given me so much joy.'

She also reveals feeling as though she 'abandoned' Ronaldo when he moved from Madeira to Sporting Lisbon to begin his professional career at the age of 12.

Ronaldo said of the time: 'I cried every day. People say we have money and cars but we suffered.'

However, the film leaves no doubt as to his remarkable ego. He spends many hours topless and is happy to be filmed preening in front of mirrors.

It also reveals just how important he feels the Ballon d'Or to be. Judged by his peers in the international football community, the award is handed out every year to the single player deemed to be the best.

The rivalry between himself and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is obvious, and Ronaldo comes across as petulant when missing out on the gong.