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Cristiano Ronaldo has become a father to twins and will leave the Confederation Cup early, it has been confirmed.

Reports earlier this month suggested Ronaldo, 32, had become a father for a second time with a surrogate mother.

It was believed the two children were born in the United States and had been visited by Ronaldo's mother.

Portugal lost the semi-final on penalties to Chile but are due to play in the third-place playoff against either Germany or Mexico.

The news had not been confirmed officially, but last night Ronaldo posted a statement on Facebook saying he was leaving the Confederations Cup in Russia early "to finally be with my children for the first time."

He added: "I was in the service of the national team, as always, body and soul, even though my two children were born."

(Image: AFP) (Image: EPA)

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"Unfortunately, we have not been able to achieve the main sporting objective that we wanted, but I am sure we will continue to give joy to the Portuguese.

"The President of the Portuguese Football Federation and the national selector have today had an attitude that has touched me and I will not forget."

Ronaldo already has a seven-year-old son called Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr.

And his family could be set to get even bigger with rumours his girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez is also five months pregnant.

(Image: cristiano/Instagram)

(Image: Splash News)

The Real Madrid superstar posted a photo which showed him holding Georgina's stomach which appears to be showing signs of a bump.

The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed Ronaldo had been given permission to leave the Confederations Cup early "so that he can finally get to know his children."

(Image: EPA)

In a statement, the national team said: "The President of the FPF and the National Team were informed before the Confederations Cup by the National Team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, that he had been a father.

"The athlete, despite the birth of his children, made a point of being in the service of the National Team, in a gesture that we must underline and praise.

"The President of the FPF and the National Selector understand that if it is impossible to reach the goal of winning the Confederations Cup, they must release the athlete so that he can finally get to know his children."

The Real Madrid superstar's sister Katia Aveiro recently appeared to confirm the news on TV.

During the show, Katia was asked a series of personal questions alongside her partner and son Dinis - holding a board with yes, maybe and no on them.

(Image: SIC/Queridas Manhas) (Image: SIC/Queridas Manhas) (Image: SIC/Queridas Manhas)

One of those questions was based on Ronaldo being the father to twins, to which she replied 'maybe'.

She continued, insisting it was not her place to say but her son cheekily responded with a 'yes'.

While the hosts started laughing, Katia was quick to insist Dinis was too young to know the truth.

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(Image: AFP) (Image: AFP) (Image: REUTERS)

Meanwhile, Ronaldo is reportedly ready to quit Real Madrid.

The Portuguese superstar is said to want out of Spain after being accused of tax fraud.

Manchester United are the favourites to land Ronaldo in what would be a sensational return to Old Trafford.