Cristiano Ronaldo’s son takes big step towards professional career in football

Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, has been called up to the Portugal Under-15 squad for the first time.

The 14-year-old son of the football icon is currently in the youth ranks at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, having followed his father there following his move in December 2022.

4

It is understood Ronaldo Jr could have chosen to represent Spain or the United States, but he has now been called up to play for Portugal at the Vlatko Markovic International Tournament in Croatia.

The youngster was named in coach Joao Santos’ 22-player squad for the upcoming competition, where his national side are scheduled to play Japan, Greece and England.

With this his first ever international call-up, Ronaldo Sr was quick to celebrate the news on social media.

Taking to Instagram, the Portugal great shared a screenshot of the national team squad list, writing alongside it: “Proud of you, son!”

Ronaldo Jr is the only representative in the team from a non-European club, as he joins players from the likes of Tottenham, Porto, Braga and Vitoria Guimaraes.

The Al Nassr starlet is believed to have been impressing in the team’s youth system, where he was reportedly training two years above his age group at the Mahd Academy in 2023.

Last year, he captained the club’s under-13s side to the Saudi U13 Premier League title.

Ronaldo Jr has already lined up for several big name sides, having also had stints at Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Though not even a teenager whilst at the above clubs, the soon-to-be Portugal youth player already showed signs of inheriting his father’s talents.

With Juve, there were reports Ronaldo Jr scored 58 goals in one season.

4

4

Though clearly thrilled with his latest career milestone, his father has previously admitted he is keen to avoid putting pressure on his son as he looks to follow in his footsteps.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast in September, Ronaldo Sr said: “This generation, it is difficult to tell them something and let them do it.

“They will always see their daddy as an example, they see me every day in what I do, at home, in training, or in a game. They see me work a lot.

“Right at this moment, Cristiano wants to be a football player but I don’t make big pressure, I make a little.

“He’s 14 years old, he has pressure already to be the son of Cristiano [senior]. Let him do his own mistakes, but I hope that in the future he can be a professional player.”

The Man United and Real Madrid great continued: “If he doesn’t become a player, maybe another job, but I will always support him.

4

“We cannot put pressure on our sons because we are famous.”

As he prepares for the start of his fledgling international career, Ronaldo Jr will be looking to take inspiration from his father’s own exploits for Portugal.

Since making his debut at 18 in 2003, the now 40-year-old has gone on to score 136 goals in 219 games for his country, making him the all-time leading goalscorer in international football history.

His stellar career has also seen him captain Portugal to their first-ever major trophy with victory at Euro 2016.