Passing the baton: Ronaldo Jr joins game's famous family dynasties
LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo Jr’s call up to Portugal’s under-17 squad could hardly have been better timed, a week after his father brought down the curtain on a glittering international career.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr s inclusion in Portugal s under-17 squad occurs in the wake of his father Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement from international football. The 16-year-old striker, who currently plays for Saudi club Al Nassr, showcases striking similarities to his father's career trajectory - standing taller at 6ft 3ins and boasting a keen eye for goal.
However, Ronaldo Jr faces a much larger challenge than his father did at this stage of his career. Ronaldo made his senior international debut at 18 years old and went on to score 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal. His son will aim to make his mark in the UEFA Under-17 Championship qualifiers against Andorra, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
Ronaldo Jr is not alone in following in his father's footsteps; other football dynasties have emerged. Cesare, Paolo, and Daniel Maldini all played for AC Milan with Paolo earning 100+ caps for Italy and Daniel making nine appearances for the national team. Another notable example is Jordi Cruyff, son of legendary Dutch midfielder Johan Cruyff, who had successful stints at Barcelona and Manchester United.
Diego and Giuliano Simeone, sons of Argentine and Atletico Madrid legend Diego Simeone, both played for the national team and Argentina's 2026 World Cup squad. George and Timothy Weah, sons of Liberian and Ballon d'Or winner George Weah, each represented their countries' national teams. Haaland senior, a Norwegian midfielder who spent time at Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Manchester City, has a prolific son who has won two Premier League titles with Manchester City.
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