Cristiano Ronaldo Jr made his debut for Portugal’s Under-17s side on Thursday, entering as a 73rd-minute substitute during a 4-0 European Championship qualifier victory over Andorra in Lisbon.
- Upcoming fixtures against Bulgaria and Serbia may offer Ronaldo Jr further chances to impress.
The 16-year-old forward wore the No. 18 shirt and came on with Portugal already leading comfortably. Sporting’s Diego Farinha netted a brace, while Santos FC’s Kaua Miranda and Braga’s Rafael Cabral also scored. Members of Portugal’s senior team, including Vitinha and Joao Felix, watched from the sidelines as Ronaldo Jr nearly added a fifth goal with a stooping header that flashed inches wide.
The appearance follows a well-traveled youth career that mirrors his father’s clubs. Born in June 2010, Ronaldo Jr first joined Juventus’ youth setup before spending time with Manchester United and eventually moving to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr, GiveMeSport reported. The milestone arrives just one week after Cristiano Ronaldo called time on his own glittering international career.
Spanish newspaper AS issued an eye-opening assessment of the teenager’s performance. AS writer Hector Perez said that while his career continues moving in the right direction, “there is nothing in Cristiano Jr’s playing style to suggest he is a copy of his father Cristiano Ronaldo,” according to AS.
Perez added that his height provides an aerial threat, though he ultimately described the appearance as a “quiet game” for the Al-Nassr academy forward.
| Fixture Details | Opponent | Date / Venue |
|---|---|---|
| U17 Euro Qualifier | Andorra | Thursday, Lisbon |
| U17 Euro Qualifier | Bulgaria | Saturday, Lisbon |
| U17 Euro Qualifier | Serbia | November 17, Lisbon |
Ronaldo Jr will have another chance to impress when Portugal’s U17s face Bulgaria on Saturday. That fixture precedes a subsequent clash against Serbia next Tuesday, November 17, with both remaining qualifiers scheduled to be played in Lisbon.
Back in 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo expressed doubts over his son’s ability to become a top footballer. Six years on, the teenager continues his development with the national team setup, aiming to prove those doubts wrong on the pitch.
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