The Ronaldo footballing dynasty is set to continue as Cristiano Ronaldo Jr has received his maiden call-up to the Portugal Under-15 squad. This marks the beginning of a potential father-son succession story in the world of football.
The 14-year-old forward, currently honing his skills at Al-Nassr’s youth academy in Saudi Arabia, has been selected to represent Portugal in a tournament held in Croatia this month. He is set to face Japan, Greece, and England in his first experience of international football.
“Proud of you, son,” the proud father, and Portugal’s 40-year-old captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, shared on social media alongside the squad announcement.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who famously led Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championship and holds the world record for international goals with 136 in 219 appearances, will undoubtedly watch his eldest son’s progress with immense pride.
Ronaldo Jr has already traced his father’s footsteps at club level, having played in the youth ranks of Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United – all former clubs of his legendary father – before his recent move to Saudi Arabia with his family. Reports suggest the teenager scored an impressive 58 goals during his time in Italy, and videos of him replicating his father’s iconic ‘Siu’ celebration at Al-Nassr have gained significant traction online.
In 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo revealed his son’s ambition to one day share the pitch with him, quoting Ronaldo Jr as saying, “‘Dad, hold on a few more years, I want to play with you!'”
Despite being born in the United States and spending a considerable part of his early years in Spain, making him eligible to represent three nations, Ronaldo Jr’s call-up to the Portugal Under-15 squad strongly indicates his future international allegiance.
For Portugal, a nation whose modern footballing identity has been so profoundly shaped by his father’s remarkable two-decade career, Ronaldo Jr’s inclusion in the national youth setup could be the initial stride in a generational transition that is sure to capture global attention.
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