Real Madrid superstar was late in returning to Spain because his fiancee, Daniella Cicarelli, is reportedly pregnant and was hospitalised on Thursday in Brazil after fainting at a wedding.

The striker has a five-year-old son, Ronald, by his first wife, Brazilian footballer Milene Domingues.

Ronaldo had been expected to arrive on Friday with teammate Roberto Carlos to prepare for Madrid's Spanish league match against Albacete on Sunday. The two were in Brazil for their country's World Cup qualifying match.

Madrid said on its website it had given Ronaldo permission to postpone his return, and coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said Ronaldo would be available on Sunday.

On January 30, Ronaldo missed his team's league game with Numancia after remaining in Brazil. Local news reports said it was because his older brother, Nelinho, had fallen ill.