Kyle Walker sparked an outcry on Saturday, when he unveiled his bespoke Puma boots bearing the names of his children – but omitted his youngest son, Kairo.
The Manchester City ace, 30, took to Instagram to show off the footwear, which included the names of the three children he shares with on-off partner Annie Kilner.
While Riaan, Reign and Roman had their names and dates of birth emblazoned on his boots, 13-month-old Kairo, the son he shares with Lauryn Goodman, wasn’t included.
Sparking outcry: Kyle Walker sparked an outcry on Saturday, when he unveiled his bespoke Puma boots bearing the names of his children – but omitted his youngest son, Kairo
A large number of the sportsman’s 1.8 million followers took to the comments section in droves to slam his ‘disgusting’ snub, prompting those in charge of his social media account to delete comments.
But as the comments piled up, England right-back Kyle, a native of Sheffield, eventually had the comments switched off altogether.
Deleting comments makes YOU look even worse than you already do,’ wrote one. ‘Own up and be a man about it. You’ve messed up massively. OWN… IT.’
Stated another: ‘Ignoring the existence of your youngest child?! You must [be] so proud of yourself!! Men like you absolutely disgust me.’
Youngest son: The Manchester City ace shares 13-month-old son Kairo with Lauryn Goodman
Footwear: The Manchester City ace, 30, took to Instagram to show off the footwear, which included the names of the three children he shares with on-off partner Annie Kilner
Offspring: While Riaan, Reign and Roman had their names and dates of birth emblazoned on his boots, 13-month-old Kairo wasn’t included
‘If only you were as quick to look after and care for Kairo as you are to delete your comments,’ wrote a third disgruntled social media user.
Another commented: ‘Absolutely disgusting missing 1 of your children off your boots, and now deleting any comments about it. Can’t handle the truth.’
His actions didn’t go unnoticed by Lauryn, who took to her own Instagram account to address the snub of her young son, writing: ‘Kairo has done nothing wrong apart from be adorable,’ as she thanked fans for their support.
She wrote: ‘Oh babe all of those followers you have but you have to turn your comments off. See this is the thing. Mums fight for their babies. Kairo has done nothing. Apart from be adorable.
‘Women are not scared to have their say. I may have less followers. But I’m a real person who will fight for Kairo until I am no longer here
Couple: The sportsman, 30, shares this three eldest children with on-off partner Annie Kilner
Speaking out: A large number of the sportsman’s 1.8 million followers took to the comments section in droves to slam his ‘disgusting’ snub
The reality TV star, 30, posted a shot of a handwritten ‘quote of the day’, which read: ‘No one ever notices when you’re being provoked, just when you retaliate.’
She also shared a series of supportive messages from fans, including one which read: ‘I commented on @pumafootball’s post and they’ve also removed all comments and turned comments off their post.
‘No matter what circumstances are with the parents it is NEVER ok to disown a child, people suggest he had no choice and we don’t know the truth, but in my eyes if this was the case he’d still care about Kairo and wouldn’t allow those boots to made out of respect. I stand by you, from one parent to another (sic).’
When contacted by MailOnline, a representative for Kyle Walker declined to comment. MailOnline has contacted a representative for Lauryn Goodman for comment.
Switched off: As the comments piled up, England right-back Kyle, a native of Sheffield, eventually had the comments switched off altogether
Lauryn has remained a single mother after she fell pregnant following a whirlwind romance with Kyle, whose team Man City clinched this season’s Premier League title.
She previously appeared to reference footballer Kyle’s absence as a father to their son, admitting at times she feels ‘drained, tired and lost’ and can feel like she doesn’t have ‘anybody to lean on’.
Meanwhile, a source told MailOnline that Lauryn has been house hunting in the sought-after area of Prestbury, where her ex Kyle lives.
The insider revealed: ‘Lauryn has been looking at houses in Prestbury, Cheshire. She is looking to have a fresh start after having her son Kairo Walker.
‘Lauryn has always loved Cheshire since spending a lot of time up there with her ex boyfriend, Dane Rashford.
Didn’t go unnoticed: His actions didn’t go unnoticed by Lauryn, who took to her own Instagram account to address the snub of her young son
Clap back: She wrote that ‘Kairo has done nothing wrong apart from be adorable’ in her post
Supportive comments: She shared a stream of supportive comments from numerous followers
Filter: The reality star also shared how she was informed that his comments were being filtered
Brief romance: Lauryn and footballer Kyle’s child was conceived during their brief romance
‘She still has a lot of friends up there and is excited to move. She is currently living between two houses, one in Hove and one in Knutsford.’
Lauryn recently confirmed she named her son Kairo, who she shares with her ex Kyle Walker, after previously referring to him as ‘Junior’ in her social media posts until now.
The social media star explained she chose the name after watching the Spanish TV series Money Heist and decided to name her son after the capital of Egypt.
She told Closer magazine: ‘I was pregnant in the middle of the pandemic so I got into watching Money Heist.
Doting: Amid the controversy and chatter, Lauryn dedicated doting posts to her sole offspring
Emotional: The brunette stated that she was ’emotional’ and ‘overwhelmed’ with the support
Questions: Lauryn said she has faced questions about why her son has his father’s surname even though she is raising him as a single mother
Quote of the day: The reality TV star, 30, posted a shot of a handwritten ‘quote of the day’, which read, ‘No one ever notices when you’re being provoked, just when you retaliate’
Inspiring messages: She took to her Instagram Stories to shave a series of inspiring messages
‘I really liked how all the characters were named after cities. That’s how I chose his name, Kairo, after Egypt’s capital but spelt with a ‘K’ to make it unique.’
Lauryn said she has faced questions about why her son has his father’s surname even though she is raising him as a single mother.
She explained: ‘Single mums have questioned why Kairo’s surname is Walker because they say they don’t want to give the father the satisfaction of them having their surname. It was a mutual decision to name him Walker and I honoured that.
‘I appreciate there was speculation, but I don’t feel I constantly have to justify myself for any decisions that are made with our son.’
While Lauryn acknowledged being a single mother can be difficult at times, she finds ‘inner strength’ every time she looks at Kairo.
Bad night’s sleep: By Sunday afternoon, she admitted to not having slept well the night before
Drained: She previously appeared to reference footballer Kyle’s absence as a father to their son, admitting at times she feels ‘drained, tired and lost’
Inner strength: While Lauryn acknowledged being a single mother can be difficult at times, she finds ‘inner strength’ every time she looks at Kairo