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Cristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed a career full of emotional moments. But this one was special — not for what he did, but for what his son achieved.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., also known as Cristianinho, made his international debut for Portugal’s U-15 team this week.
The 14-year-old came off the bench during Portugal's 4-1 win over Japan in the Vlatko Markovic Tournament in Croatia.
It wasn’t just another youth match — it was the next step in a legacy that began over two decades ago.
Cristianinho, who plays in the youth academy of Al-Nassr — just like his father now plays for the senior team — replaced Abdu Cassama in the second half.
His grandmother, Maria Dolores, watched proudly from the stands. His father, though not present at the stadium, made sure the world knew how he felt.
Ronaldo posted a short, emotional message on social media: "Congratulations on your debut for Portugal, son. Very proud of you!"
Short and sweet. Just like a perfect through ball.
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When did Cristiano Ronaldo made his Portugal U-15 debut?
The teen forward follows in legendary footsteps. His father once wore the same Portugal U-15 jersey back in 2001.
Two decades later, Ronaldo Sr. has racked up 136 goals in 219 caps for the senior side. Now, the baton may slowly be passing on — and there’s already some buzz around whether junior will continue the family business in full.
Cristianinho has already trained with top academies like Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United.
He’s shown promise, but it’s still early days. The young forward is expected to feature again as Portugal face Greece and England in the coming days.
Ronaldo has hinted he dreams of sharing the pitch with his son someday. For now, he's cheering from afar — and hoping this was the first of many.
Cristiano Ronaldo news and related links
Vishal Bhawani is a sub-editor for the Affiliate Content team and a writer and sub-editor for the Football Wires team at The Sporting News. Based in Indore, India, he holds a Diploma in Operations and Management from Maharashtra University.
Before joining TSN in May 2024, Vishal contributed to Football Express and Six Sports and ran his own blog, Anfield Home, as a passionate Liverpool fan. An avid traveler, he follows multiple sports, including cricket, soccer, and tennis.
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