Ronaldo's mom cries as she remembers her stroke: I prayed to God not to take me

Dolores Aveiro, Cristiano Ronaldo's mother, suffered a stroke that almost took her life on March 3, 2020.

Now, she is making a gradual recovery and is grateful to be by her family's side.

"It was difficult and I thought it was the end for me," Dolores admitted to the Portuguese media outlet ITV.

"When I saw my eldest grandson, 'Cristianinho', come into my room to visit me, it was a big shock for me.

"I prayed to God not to take me; I want to see my grandchildren grow up and that's what happened. There was a lot of faith there, but it was difficult."

Cristiano's mother also recalled the moment before she was rushed to hospital.

"I got up to go to the bathroom and fainted; I fell down," Dolores noted.

"When I recovered I tried to get up, but I realised that the left side of my body was paralysed. I called my partner, Jose Andrade, and told him I didn't feel well and asked him to dial 999. I don't remember arriving at the hospital.

"In my case it was five minutes. Cristiano called the doctor from Italy and thank God I had the operation. Many people are not as lucky as me.

"My recovery is gradual. I left the hospital walking, but it has affected my left side, my mouth, my leg, my speech. A year ago today, I saw my life almost run through my fingers."