A new chapter in Portugal’s football story began on Thursday as Cristiano dos Santos, the eldest son of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, made his debut for the nation’s Under-16 national team.
The 15-year-old, affectionately known as Cristianinho, came on as a late substitute in the 90th minute during Portugal’s 2-0 win over the host nation, Turkey, in the ongoing Federations Cup tournament in Antalya.
Though a brief appearance, the moment was highly symbolic, marking the start of his international journey in the iconic Portuguese jersey, one his father has worn for a record number of matches and goals.
Following His Father’s Footsteps
The young forward currently plays for the youth academy of Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, mirroring his father’s current club affiliation. His international call-up follows a period of impressive development, including a previous stint with Portugal’s Under-15 squad where he had notably scored two goals in a final earlier this year.
Cristianinho has been growing through the ranks, having also spent time in the youth setups of major European clubs, including Juventus and Manchester United, mirroring the trajectory of his legendary father’s club career.
Portugal secured their victory in the Federations Cup match with goals scored earlier in the game. The team’s campaign in the tournament continues with upcoming fixtures against Wales and England, matches that will likely offer the young talent more opportunities to integrate with the squad.