The 15-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., son of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, made his first appearance for Portugal’s U16 national team on Thursday, during their 2-0 victory over Turkey in the Federations Cup Tournament held in Antalya.
A Debut to Remember
Although his time on the pitch was brief, it was a special moment. Cristiano Jr. came on as a substitute in the 90th minute, replacing forward Rafael Cabral. While Portugal had already secured the win thanks to goals from Samuel Tavares (Sporting Academy) and Rafael Cabral (Braga), this short appearance was symbolic, a first taste of international football and a milestone in his young career.
“It might have been only a few minutes, but it’s the start of something special,” said many fans watching the match. And indeed, stepping onto the field for your country, even briefly, is always a moment to cherish.
Cristiano Jr has made his debut for the Portugal U16 squad 🤩👏
He is building his way up the ranks 📈🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/GpZ1KLzZMy---Advertisement---— OneFootball (@OneFootball) October 30, 2025
Rising Through the Ranks
Cristiano Jr. has been making waves for a while. Earlier this year, he shone for Portugal’s U15 team, scoring two goals in the final against Croatia during the Vlatko Markovic Tournament, even though Portugal narrowly lost 3-2. His performances earned him a fast promotion to the U16 squad, where he is now training under coach Joao Santos.
At club level, he currently plays in the Al Nassr youth academy in Saudi Arabia, following his father’s move to Riyadh. Before that, he developed his game at the youth academies of Juventus and Manchester United, mirroring the journey of his father, Cristiano Ronaldo Sr., who made his mark at the same clubs.
What’s Next for Portugal U16
Portugal will continue their campaign at the Federations Cup with upcoming fixtures against Wales (Saturday) and England (Tuesday). These matches are expected to give Cristiano Jr. more playing time, helping the coaching staff assess how he adapts to international competition at this level.
For fans, the young forward’s debut is a glimpse of the future – a new generation carrying the Ronaldo name into the next chapter of Portuguese football.
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