The next chapter in the Ronaldo football dynasty has officially begun as Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., the 15-year-old son of the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, made his debut for Portugal's Under-16 national team on Thursday, October 30, 2025. The young forward, affectionately known as "Cristianinho," entered the match in the closing moments of Portugal’s 2-0 victory over Turkey in the Federations Cup, held in Antalya.
Portugal had already secured the win thanks to goals from Samuel Tavares of Sporting CP and Rafael Cabral of SC Braga. Ronaldo Jr. replaced Cabral in the 90th minute, marking his first international cap at the U-16 level. While his cameo was brief, it was a symbolic appearance that reflects the ongoing journey of a young player growing under immense expectations.
Ronaldo Jr.'s debut comes after an impressive spell with Portugal's Under-15 squad, where he showcased his talent and competitiveness. In May 2025, he scored twice in the final of the Vlatko Marković International Tournament in Croatia, helping his team secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over the hosts. His performance earned him a quick promotion to the U-16 squad.
Currently, Ronaldo Jr. hones his skills at the Al Nassr youth academy in Saudi Arabia, the same club where his father stars. Before moving to the Middle East, he trained with the youth teams of Juventus and Manchester United, mirroring his father's path through elite football environments. This exposure has allowed him to develop his movement and kicking sense, drawing praise and comparisons to his father’s style of play.
ESPN has described Ronaldo Jr. as a potential "new attacking resource" for the Portugal youth national team. Cristiano Ronaldo Sr. has expressed his dream of sharing the pitch with his son one day. While that day is still several years away, Ronaldo Jr.'s early progress is capturing worldwide attention.
Portugal's U-16 side will continue their campaign in the Federations Cup with upcoming matches against Wales on November 1st and England on November 4th. These matches are expected to provide Cristiano Jr. with more playing time as the coaching staff assesses his integration at the international level.
