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Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., son of Portugal captain and global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, made his international debut for the country’s Under-16 team in the Federation Cup in Turkey.
The 15-year-old forward came off the bench during stoppage time as Portugal U16 cruised to a 2–0 win over hosts Turkey in Antalya, with goals from Sporting CP’s Samuel Tavares and SC Braga’s Rafael Cabral sealing the result.
Though Ronaldo Jr.’s cameo was brief, it marked a significant milestone in a journey that has already captured worldwide attention.
Having honed his skills at Al Nassr’s youth setup in Saudi Arabia, where his father currently stars, the youngster’s progression through the Portuguese ranks has been rapid.
Earlier this year, he impressed with a brace in Portugal’s 3–2 victory over Croatia in the Vlatko Markovic International Tournament final, further strengthening his credentials as one to watch.
This debut comes as his father, Cristiano Ronaldo Sr., continues to redefine football longevity, having recently surpassed 950 career goals and extended his record as the highest scorer in men’s international football.
Portugal’s U16 side, having opened their campaign with a win, will next face Wales on November 1 before taking on England on November 4 in the group stages.
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