 "Cristiano Ronaldo Jr during training with Portugal's Under-15 squad. Image: Reuters")
Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo ’s son is continuing his family legacy as he has been called up to the Portugal under-16 national team for the upcoming Federation Cup Tournament in Antalya, Turkey. Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. was seen training with his new teammates in Oeiras on Monday, October 27.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 4. Ronaldo Jr. has been added to the squad as they prepare to kick off their campaign against the hosts on Tuesday. He will then play against Wales on November 1 and England on November 4.
Ronaldo Jr. has already impressed on the international stage with Portugal’s Under-15 side. He scored two goals in Portugal’s 3-2 victory over Croatia in the final of the Vlatko Markovic International Tournament earlier this year, helping his team lift the trophy.
Ronaldo Jr. currently plays in Al-Nassr’s youth academy in Saudi Arabia, where his father is also employed. Ronaldo senior shifted to the Middle Eastern country in December 2022 in a record move after his fallout with former club Manchester United.
Just like his son now, Ronaldo himself climbed through Portugal’s youth ranks before becoming the country’s all-time leading goal scorer. He began his journey with the Portugal U-15 team in 2001 and represented several age-group sides before making his senior debut in 2003.
Meanwhile, Portugal’s U-16 team arrived in Turkey on Tuesday and began training at Emirhan Sports Centre today. All matches in the tournament will be held at the same venue.
Here’s the list of players called up
AL NASSR: Cristiano Dos Santos
F.C. PORTO: Gonçalo Fontes; Henrique Maduro; Salvador Ribeiro
FC ALVERCA: Afonso Pereira
SANTOS FC: Kauã Araujo
SC BRAGA: Carlos Moita; Rafael Cabral; Valdir Fernandes
SL BENFICA: Guilherme Castro; João Santos; Martim Gomes; Simão Lopes; Tomás Pedrosa
SPORTING CP: Afonso Guerra; Diego Farinha; José Garrafa; Leonardo Damião; Samuel Tavares; Tiago Freitas; Victor Bastianele
VITÓRIA SC: Tiago Amorim