Emotional: Cristiano Ronaldo fight back tears after seeing photo/video of him together with his father

Cristiano Ronaldo has never shied away from showing his emotional side, but one of his most heartfelt moments came during his sit-down with British journalist Piers Morgan.

In the now-famous interview, the Portuguese superstar was shown a never-before-seen video of his late father, José Dinis Aveiro, who passed away in 2005 at just 52 years old. In the clip, Aveiro spoke proudly of his son, then a rising star preparing for Euro 2004.

Seeing the footage for the first time left Ronaldo visibly shaken.

“I had never seen this video. Unbelievable,” he said, fighting back tears. “I thought it would be a fun interview, but I didn’t expect to cry. I never saw these images. I don’t know where you are… I need to have these images to show my family.”

Ronaldo admitted that his relationship with his father was far from perfect. Battling alcohol addiction, Aveiro was often distant, leaving Ronaldo feeling that he never truly got to know him.

“I didn’t know my father 100%, really. He lived changed by alcohol. I never talked to him like a normal conversation. It was tough.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner went on to express his deepest regret , that his father never got to witness his incredible rise to the very top of world football.

“To be number one, and he didn’t see anything… he didn’t see me get the awards, he didn’t see what I’ve become. My family, my mom, my siblings, and even my eldest son have seen it. But my dad didn’t see anything. He died young.”

For a man who has won it all — league titles, Champions League trophies, international glory with Portugal, and countless individual awards, this moment revealed a rare vulnerability. Behind the legendary athlete is still a son who wishes his father could have witnessed the greatness he became.