'Of course I change nappies,' reveals Cristiano Ronaldo as he speaks about fatherhood for first time

By Tom Worden for MailOnline
Updated: 20:34 EST, 19 January 2011

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He may be the world's best paid footballer, but new father Cristiano Ronaldo isn't afraid to be a hands on father.

The Real Madrid star - who was bought from Manchester United two years ago in an £80million deal - revealed he sometimes changes his baby son's nappies.

Although his mother Dolores Aveiro is essentially responsible for the full-time care of Cristiano Jnr due to Ronaldo's career commitments, the footballer isn't afraid to get stuck in to the less favourable aspects of parenting.

Proud father: Cristiano Ronaldo, pictured at the Almeria V Real Madrid game on Sunday, says he changes his son's nappies

Ronaldo said becoming a dad had made him more responsible and hopes his son will follow in his footsteps and become a giant on the football field.

Speaking for the first time about his role as a new father, Ronaldo said: 'Of course something like this affects you. It's a different type of responsibility.

'Maybe I feel more comfortable. I'm comfortable when things are going well: my family, the club, my friends, that gives me important support for everything else.

'Of course I change the nappies. It's not the thing I like best in the world, but I do it.'

Bouncing baby boy: Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr was spotted on the lap of the footballer's mother's partner Jose Andrade on December 8, 2010

Speaking to Spanish sports daily Marca, he added: 'I would love him to like football, for him to be my successor, but we'll see what happens.

'My son will be whatever he wants.'

Ronaldo stunned the world on July 3 last year by revealing on Twitter, Facebook and his official website that he had become a dad.

His family later revealed the boy, Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr, was born on July 17 in the U.S. weighing 9lb 8oz.

The identity of the mother has never been revealed, but it has been reported that she is a 20-year-old British student who was paid £10million to give up her parental rights.

Ronaldo, who became the world's most expensive footballer when he left Manchester United for Madrid in summer 2009 for £80million, was this week named as the world's highest paid player on £10million a year in wages alone.

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He hinted in the interview he might one day marry his girlfriend of one year Irina Shayk, a 24-year-old Russian underwear model, saying: 'One day, you never know. It's early.'

The footballer told Marca he has not allowed becoming a father to stop him getting a good night's sleep.

The Portuguese star said: 'I have to rest. There are lots of games and the best answer to this is rest. Eat and drink well, and rest. I'm in a good physical condition and I only do a little keep-fit.

'My son goes to sleep early, but my mother told me the other day, while we were playing, he was crying without stopping and didn't want to sleep until I scored a goal. I scored and five minutes later he was asleep.'

Ronaldo's mother Dolores, 55, is helping raise the youngster along with his sisters Katia, 33, and Elma, 35.

The baby made his first public appearance last December 8 in the crowd at a Champions League match at Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium against AJ Auxerre.

He was taken to the game by his grandmother Dolores and her partner Jose Andrade.

Ronaldo dedicated a goal to his son by sucking his thumb and pointing at the stand.