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Ronaldo gives fiancee lavish party

February 13, 2005 20:26 IST

Brazilian striker Ronaldo is giving his fiancee a romantic St. Valentine's day present -- a lavish engagement party at a sumptuous and secluded castle outside Paris with about 250 guests.

The Real Madrid player has reportedly invited team mates Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Raul to Monday's party at Chantilly chateau just north of Paris and is flying them in by private jet.

Brazilian media put the estimated cost at around 700,000 euros ($900,200), although they say the couple could earn 400,000 euros by selling exclusive photo rights to Spanish magazine Hola!.

Although it has been billed as a wedding, Ronaldo, 28, cannot marry 23-year-old Brazilian model Daniella Cicarelli until he has been divorced for a full year from his first wife, Milene Domingues, his agent has said.

The Chantilly municipality and Brazilian consulate in Paris said they have received no papers from the couple and no requests to register a wedding on Monday evening.

"It has been a month now that we have been talking about an engagement celebration and not an official marriage," David Espinar, Ronaldo's agent, said by telephone from Madrid.

Espinar said Ronaldo's divorce was just about finalised but Spanish law prevented him from marrying again for a year.

Espinar said Ronaldo would arrive on Sunday evening, after Real's league match against Osasuna, or on Monday morning.

Media are banned from the event and security personnel will be on the lookout for cellphones with built-in cameras.

The flower arrangements alone cost 70,000 euros and the hire of the castle 20,000 euros, according to Brazilian media. British DJ Fat Boy Slim is expected to perform during the party.

Media reports said Ronaldo will fly in 22 of his relatives from Brazil along with 17 of his Real Madrid team mates, although their names have not been announced.

The former Footballer of the Year married his previous wife Milene in December 1999. Their son Ronald was born six months later. They announced their separation in November 2003.

Gerard Bon
Source: REUTERS
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