Cristiano Ronaldo's influencer sister, 43, is rushed to hospital with pneumonia after catching Covid

Cristiano Ronaldo's sister has been hospitalised with pneumonia due to complications in her fight against Covid.

Katia Aveiro, 43, revealed she was in hospital in her native island of Madeira in an Instagram post.

She is being treated at Dr Nelio Mendonca Hospital, the same place Cristiano's doting mother was taken for emergency surgery following her stroke last year.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a brush with Covid in October last year, testing positive for the virus twice, though he was asymptomatic.  

Now singer-turned-influencer Katia, who is now based most of the time in Brazil, said alongside a photo of her in bed attached to a drip: 'This is the last type of publication I would like to write.

'I tried not to do it in recent days, but as news travels fast, and out of respect for those who follow me and care for me and my loved ones, I will share with you the truth.

Katia Aveiro, 43, revealed she was in hospital in her native island of Madeira in an Instagram post

Cristiano Ronaldo is pictured with his sister Katia Aveiro in Lisbon, October 2008

'I was caught by this damn virus. I tested positive on July 17 and have been self-isolating at home since.

'I was doing well with few symptoms and following protocol.

'Everyone at home kept away from mum and the videos I have published where I am outside were taken before I tested positive.

'Unfortunately last Friday I started to get worse.'

Pictured: Katia Aveiro

Admitting she had caught pneumonia as a result of the virus, she added: 'I was admitted to hospital and here I am, doing everything I should and recovering thanks God and thanks to the wonderful medical team here.'

In October 2020 Portugese football authorities revealed Cristiano Ronaldo had tested positive for coronavirus.

He was reported to be asymptomatic but went into isolation. It came just days after the five-time Ballon d'Or winner played for Portugal against France in the Nations League and Spain in an international friendly.

Ronaldo immediately left the national team after returning his positive test.

Ronaldo's result prompted another round of tests for the rest of the squad, who all tested negative.

UEFA allowed Ronaldo to take a new test just 48 hours before the game - due to his very low viral load - but the striker recorded another positive result.

He also displayed no symptoms when he tested positive for a second time.

Last October Katia made headlines after appearing to rubbish Cristiano's coronavirus positive result in a bizarre rant.

She vented her rage after it emerged the Juventus forward had asked another lab to test him for Covid after two positives at the laboratory the Portuguese FA use.

Another non-lab test after his first positive was said to have come back inconclusive when she made her comments.

She subsequently struck a calmer note by insisting on social media she respected coronavirus but claimed there were other illnesses and health problems that should be respected in the same way.

She said at the time: 'I really respect this virus and I would never say the opposite.

'But I don't agree with bringing the world to a halt.

'There are people who have stopped working, there are people with psychological problems, and people who are feeling suicidal.

'This also has to be respected. I want everything to return to normal and God to protect us from human evil.'