November 4 – Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son, has been called up to Portugal’s Under-17 squad for the first time.
The 16-year-old Al-Nassr Academy forward is part of Filipe Ramos’ 23-man squad for the Euro qualifiers in Lisbon on November 11 against Andorra, Bulgaria on November 14 and Serbia on November 17. He has already played for Portugal at under-15 and under-16 level.
The moment could put father and son in the same place. Ronaldo is free to return for Portugal’s Nations League matches against Denmark on November 14 and Wales on November 17, after serving a 30-day suspension for leaving the national team in September. Whether Jorge Jesús chooses him is another matter.
The 41-year-old was fined €255 and suspended after leaving the field when he was benched against Norway. He apologized to his teammates and said he wanted to continue playing in Portugal, and Jesus has said the door remains open.
His son has followed a similar path to many children of famous players, passing through elite academies from a young age. He has played in the youth ranks at Juventus, Manchester United, Real Madrid and now Al-Nassr, mirroring his father’s career moves.
Comparisons are inevitable, and the pressure that comes with the name will be enormous. For now, he has earned his place in the youth national team on his own terms.
If both are selected, it would be one of football’s most unusual weeks – with the record goalscorer preparing for what could be his final international appearances as his son begins his own journey with the city’s youth ranks.
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