Cristiano Ronaldo Jr has been called up to play for Portugal’s Under-15 national team, starting what could become a historic father-and-son football journey. The 14-year-old, who plays as a forward at Al Nassr’s youth academy in Saudi Arabia, will travel to Croatia this month for a tournament where Portugal will face Japan, Greece, and England.
His father, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, proudly shared the news on social media, writing, “Proud of you, son.”
The elder Ronaldo, aged 40, has had a legendary international career, scoring a record 136 goals in 219 matches and winning the 2016 European Championship. Now, he will cheer from the sidelines as his son takes his first steps in international football.
Cristiano Jr has already played for the youth teams of Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United – all clubs where his father made a big impact – before moving with his family to Saudi Arabia. While playing in Italy, the young Ronaldo reportedly scored 58 goals and often copies his dad’s famous ‘Siu’ celebration during matches.
In 2022, Ronaldo revealed his son had hopes of playing alongside him one day. “My son says, ‘Dad, don’t retire yet, I want to play with you!’” Ronaldo shared at the time.
Although Ronaldo Jr was born in the United States and spent much of his childhood in Spain, making him eligible for three countries, this Portugal call-up suggests he’s likely to represent his father’s nation in the future.
For Portugal, a country where Ronaldo’s name has shaped football for over 20 years, this is a new and exciting chapter. His son’s first appearance in national colours could be the start of a new generation in the Ronaldo legacy.
