Cristiano Ronaldo's Bid for Single Fatherhood

July 7, 2010— -- Portugese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is an international sex symbol who could arguably have any woman in the world, but it appears what he wanted more than anything was a baby.

The 25-year-old star of Real Madrid announced last Saturday on Facebook and Twitter that he had become the father of a baby boy. What's more, it seems the world's top-paid soccer player -- Ronaldo reportedly earns more than $250,000 per week -- will bring up the baby without any help from the unnamed American mother who was reportedly paid to serve as a surrogate.

"It is with great joy and emotion that I inform I have recently become father to a baby boy," Ronaldo said on his Facebook page. "As agreed with the baby's mother, who prefers to have her identity kept confidential, my son will be under my exclusive guardianship.

"No further information will be provided on this subject and I request everyone to fully respect my right to privacy (and that of the child) at least on issues as personal as these are," he wrote.

Ronaldo's agent confirmed the announcement in the U.K.'s Daily Mail, saying only, "Yes, it's true. We make no further comment." He did not respond to requests for comment from ABCNews.com.

If the reports are true, Ronaldo would not be the first male celebrity to hire a surrogate to have his children. Michael Jackson is perhaps the most famous; his third child Blanket was conceived that way. Ricky Martin announced in 2008 that he had become the father of twins with the help of a surrogate.

For a reputed playboy who has been linked to tennis player Maria Sharapova, Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian, Ronaldo's extraordinary announcement sent shockwaves across the country -- more than 28,000 fans posted mostly glowing comments to his Facebook page.

But one person who appeared unfazed by the news was his current girlfriend, Russian underwear model Irina Shayk.