Fred Kennedy

updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:44 PM

Cristiano Ronaldo recently offered a glimpse into the life of his little-known father, José Dinis Aveiro, who once fought as a soldier in Africa.

Despite finding his way to the top and establishing himself as one of the world's greatest footballer, Ronaldo still has regrets on his troubled family life with an alcoholic father.

READ ALSO: Europa League: Supercomputer tips Man United to win title

READ ALSO: Marcus Rashford offers Man Utd fan who beat cancer chance to watch club at Old Trafford

In an interview with British journalist, Piers Morgan, the Juventus star could not hold back his tears as he discussed the life of the man who never lived to witness his meteoric rise in football.

"I really don’t know my father 100 per cent. He was a drunk person. I never spoke with him, like a normal conversation. It was hard," Ronaldo revealed on ITV's Cristiano Ronaldo Meets Piers Morgan.

READ ALSO: Fernando Ricksen: Rangers legend and ex-Dutch midfielder passes on

SunSport reports Aveiro was forced into military service, fighting an unpopular war to stop Angola, who were a Portugal colony from winning her independence.

The war was eventually lost, leaving soldiers who saw atrocities with a stain mentally.

After close to a year in Africa, Aveiro returned to Portugal - a country that was ravaging in tough economic times after spending so much resources on the war.

READ ALSO: Champions League: Wanyama included in Spurs' squad for Olympiacos trip

With nothing much to do back home as a war vet, Aveiro became a gardener and supplemented his income by taking on the post of kit man for Andorinha, a local team based in the suburb of Santo Antonio.

It is understood he got the job because Ronaldo played for the club, but his son was often ridiculed by his teammates because his father held such a poor job.

READ ALSO: AS Roma reunites another Kenyan family with missing kin

At the time, Aveiro had already sunk into alcoholism, and would later in September 2005 pass away from liver failure aged just 51 in London.

The death left Ronaldo devastated, vowing to become the best footballer in the world.

And 14 years later, Ronaldo lived to his word, winning countless titles with Man United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

PAY ATTENTION: Install Pitch Football app for FREE to easily access stats, news and live updates

He has also been crowned Ballon d'Or winner for a record five times - a rare success his father never lived to see.

Do you have an inspirational story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Tuko news.

Ndindi Nyoro, Maina Kamanda, who is to blame?| Tuko TV