The football world was hit by a generation breakthrough when Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. debuted in the U-16 national team of Portugal. The 15-year-old, who had been called on to replace Portugal in the 90th minute of their 2-0 victory over Turkey, made his first official steps towards a dream that his family and millions of fans had long dreamed of.
The young forward was nicknamed Cristiano and has been in the world limelight since childhood. Today, with the Portugal crest on, he moves on to the realm of promise to reality. His career through Manchester United, Juventus and Al-Nassr academies depicts a well-disciplined upbringing by one of the greatest personalities in football, namely his father, Cristiano Ronaldo.
This technical maturity and calmness were already displayed by his work with the U-15s of Portugal, where he scored on two occasions against Croatia at the final of the Vlatko Markovic Tournament. Those were not merely performances but also the same ruthless attitude which characterizes his father’s career.
Portugal youth coaches call him ambitious, disciplined, and open to feedback, which is what any player has to possess to overcome the pressure of the legacy and expectation. The question on whether the next Ronaldo era really has come is an issue that is awaited considering that the U-16 team of Portugal is still in the Federations Cup.
His career has only begun, but he is already causing a buzz throughout Portugal – and even the fantasy that one day father and son will sing on the same note in national colours.
