Cristiano Ronaldo jets back to Portugal to be with mother Dolores after she suffers stroke

Cristiano Ronaldo has flown to Portugal to be with his mother Dolores after she suffered a suspected stroke, according to reports in the Juventus star’s homeland.

The 65-year-old Dolores is “conscious and stable” after being admitted to Dr Nelio Mendonca Hospital on the island of Madeira on Tuesday morning.   

She is reported to have undergone a mechanical thrombectomy to remove a blood clot from an artery.

Ronaldo, 35, confirmed on social media that his mother was in hospital, thanking fans for their support and asking for respect for the family's privacy.

"Thank you for all your messages of support for my mum," Ronaldo tweeted. 

"She is currently stable and recovering in hospital. Me and my family would like to thank the medical team looking after her, and kindly ask that we are all given some privacy at this time."

The football star is close to his mother, often sharing images of the pair on his social media accounts.

Dolores, a mother of four, has previously battled breast cancer after having a lump removed in 2007. Ronaldo later donated more than $100,000 for a cancer center at the hospital which saved her life.

However, Dolores revealed last year that she had since undergone more surgery on one of her breasts as well as radiotherapy.

Ronaldo lost his father, Jose Dinis Aveiro, in 2005 at the age of 52 after he died of liver failure following a battle with alcoholism.

The footballer is one of four siblings, along with elder sisters Elma and Lilianna Catia, and a brother named Hugo.

Ronaldo's boyhood club Sporting Lisbon have offered their support to the family, posting their best wishes to Dolores on their social media accounts.