- Cristiano Ronaldo Jr was named on the bench for Portugal’s U15 game vs Japan
- He plays for Al-Nassr’s youth academy while his father stars for the senior team
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother proudly watched on from the sidelines as her grandson warmed up before being named on the bench for Portugal’s U15s clash against Japan on Tuesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr trained with Portugal’s youth ranks for the first time this week and will hope to come on to make his first appearance for the U15s side in Croatia.
The 14-year-old youngster, who plays for the youth academy of his father’s Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, is eligible to represent a host of nations including Spain and the USA.
Although he will not officially commit his future to a country until he makes a senior appearance at international level, it looks as though Ronaldo Jr is favouring Portugal after being called up for their youth side, following in his father’s footsteps.
Manchester United and Real Madrid legend Ronaldo, 40, represented the Portugal U15s on nine occasions in 2001 before quickly accelerating through the youth ranks.
He went on to become Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer with 136 goals from 219 appearances, winning the European Championship in 2016 and Nations League in 2019.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother Maria Dolores watched on from the sidelines as her grandson warmed up before being named on the bench for Portugal’s U15s clash against Japan
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, right – sporting his father’s iconic No 7, warms up ahead of the match
He is set to follow in the footsteps of his father, who first played for Portugal at U15 level
Keen to witness her family continue the legacy, Ronaldo’s mother Maria Dolores watched on from the sidelines as her grandson geared up for the match, which is part of the Vlatko Markovic tournament staged in Croatia.
Smiling as he trained and warmed up with team-mates, she was pictured sporting Ronaldo’s iconic 2010 World Cup jersey.
With the Al-Nassr superstar set to retire in the next few years, there will be plenty of pressure on Ronaldo Jr’s shoulders to follow in his father’s footsteps once the baton is passed over fully.
The young striker, affectionally known as Cristianinho, was one of 22 teenagers who were listed to feature at the tournament by manager Joao Santos.
During an earlier training session with Portugal’s U15s this week, Ronaldo Jr was spotted wearing CR7 Nike Mercurials as well as Kylian Mbappe’s latest Nike boots.
Before impressing at Al-Nassr, the 14-year-old was previously a part of the youth academies at Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United — all of his father’s former teams.
Despite turning 40 in February, the Ballon d’Or winner has admitted in the past he would like to play on the same pitch as his son.
The veteran player said recently: ‘I would like it, I would like it. It’s not something that keeps me awake at night but we’ll see.’
The starlet watches on with excitement as he hopes to make his first appearance for the U15s
Despite training with Portugal, he could represent a host of nations including Spain and USA
The 14-year-old has also played in Man United’s youth set up and wants to be professional
He added: ‘ It’s more in his hands than mine. The years are starting to go by and one day I’ll have to let it go. There will come a time when it is no longer possible. Not only physically but also psychologically.’
Speaking about his son’s footballing future to Portuguese newspaper Record he added: ‘He will follow his path, his career. I will be a proud father, I will be proud of what he wants to do.
‘If he plays, ‘top’. If he doesn’t play, we tried. At least his father tried. But it won’t be a problem either, in my opinion.’
