Cristiano Ronaldo's eldest son, Cristiano dos Santos Jr., affectionately known as Cristianinho, has officially debuted with Portugal's under-16 national team. The 15-year-old made his first appearance on Thursday in a 2-0 victory against Turkey in the Federations Cup tournament, currently being held in Turkey.
Cristianinho entered the match as a substitute in the 90th minute. He currently plays for the youth academy of Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, mirroring his father's club affiliation. Prior to this debut, Cristianinho had already been called up to Portugal's under-15 squad, marking a significant step in his burgeoning football career. The young forward's journey is keenly watched, as he aims to follow in the footsteps of his iconic father.
His call-up to the U-16 team came after a strong performance for the U-15s in the Vlatko Markovic International Tournament, where he scored twice in the final against Croatia, securing his team's victory. The Federations Cup, where he made his debut, is scheduled from October 30 to November 4 in Antalya, Turkey. During the tournament, Portugal is set to face teams including Wales and England.
Eligible to represent multiple nations, including the United States (by birth), Spain and England (through residence), and Cape Verde (through his grandmother's heritage), Cristianinho has chosen to represent Portugal, thus continuing his family's legacy with the national team. Cristiano Ronaldo also debuted with Portugal's U-15 team in 2001 before rising through the youth ranks and making his senior debut at 18.
Cristiano Jr. is a versatile player, capable of playing as a center forward or a left winger. Coaches have praised his natural talent, vision, and composure in front of goal. Standing at nearly 1.80 meters tall, he combines physical strength, discipline, and aerial ability, which he hones through intense training with his father.
Cristiano Ronaldo Sr. acknowledged his son's competitive spirit, stating, "He's very competitive, like me when I was young, and he doesn't like to lose". However, the legendary player is also mindful of the pressures Cristianinho faces, emphasizing the importance of allowing him to develop naturally. Ronaldo's mother, Dolores Aveiro, also shared her congratulations on social media following her grandson's call-up to the national team.
Ronaldo Sr. holds the all-time national records with 225 appearances and 143 goals. He captained Portugal to their first major international trophy at Euro 2016, defeating France 1-0 in the final. In 2019, he led Portugal to victory in the UEFA Nations League, finishing as the tournament's top scorer.
