Could Cristiano Ronaldo and his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, soon play on the same team? That’s the dream shared by millions of fans of the Portuguese superstar.
And the recent call-up of Cristiano Ronaldo Jr to Portugal’s U16 squad has reignited that dream. Playing together under the colors of the Seleção could become a reality if the young talent one day reaches the senior national team.
The 14-year-old has just received his first call-up in this category to compete in the Federation Cup in Turkey, from October 30 to November 4. Coach Filipe Ramos has selected 22 players to face Turkey, Wales, and England in Antalya — and Ronaldo Jr’s name is on the list.
A left winger playing in Al-Nassr’s youth teams, he is one of only two players in the squad who play outside Portugal. This call-up comes just a few months after his promising debut with the U15 team, further proof of Ronaldo Jr’s rapid progress.
Last May, during the Vlatko Markovic Tournament in Croatia, the youngster scored two goals in four appearances — enough to catch the attention of scouts in the stands.
Manchester United, Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund reportedly sent representatives to watch the Portuguese legend’s son. Sixteen European clubs are said to be closely monitoring his development.
The dream of a father-and-son duo in the national team remains technically possible. Cristiano Ronaldo Sr, now 40, continues to wear Portugal’s colors.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still the top scorer in the history of the Seleção, with 136 goals. His physical longevity defies the usual limits of modern football, and he maintains a performance level that justifies his place in Roberto Martinez’s squad.
The man himself recently admitted that this dream “depends more on me than on him.” That statement perfectly sums up the situation: the father must maintain his level, while the son must climb quickly through the youth ranks.
Cristiano Jr still has several years ahead of him to progress — from the U17s to the U19s, and possibly the U21s — before hoping to reach the senior team. The timeline is tight, but not impossible.
