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Former Real Madrid and Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo congratulated his son after he made his Portuguese U15s national team debut.
14-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo Jr came on from the bench for the nation’s under-15 side in the Vlatko Markovic international tournament in Croatia.
Ronaldo Sr made nine appearances for Portugal U15s back in 2001, which proved to be the catalyst for an immensely successful national team career.
A career which has seen the five-time Ballon d’Or winner bag 136 goals in 219 appearances for Seleção das Quinas to date, clinching the 2016 European Championship and 2019 Nations League.
Ronaldo’s National Team Stats
| Appearances | 219 |
| Goals | 136 |
| Assists | 46 |
At 40, the forward’s clinical nature still remains at the forefront of his performance, netting 23 goals and providing three assists in 28 appearances for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr this season, which Ronaldo joined in 2023.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts as son makes Portugal debut
After seeing his son make their international bow, Ronaldo Sr uploaded a touching message to social media.
Posting via Instagram, he said: “Congratulations on your @portugal, debut, son. Very proud of you!”
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward’s mother was also in attendance, watching on proudly as another member of the family represented the Portuguese national team.
How did Cristiano Jr play?
Despite sitting at the modest age of just 14, the starlet has already built up quite a reputation during his time in junior football.
Ronaldo Jr has featured for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and now Al Nassr’s academy teams, making for an almost unmatched footballing education.
Coming on in the 54th minute against Japan, Ronaldo Jr donned the No.7 shirt and showed moments of quality, displaying some fast footwork and sharp passing play whilst on the pitch.
The football will be coming thick and fast for the prospect, as Portugal take on Greece and England before rounding off the tournament against an unconfirmed opponent on Sunday.
According to Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti, scouts from Manchester United, Tottenham and a number of Bundesliga clubs were all in attendance, keeping a close eye on the prodigy.
Despite the attention surrounding Ronaldo Jr, it was Braga forward Rafael Cabral, who stole the show, bagging a hat-trick to put his country in control of the match, which they ultimately won 4-1.
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