There’s a new Ronaldo wearing the Portugal shirt, and he made his debut in quiet but meaningful fashion this week. As Portugal’s U15s kicked off their Vlatko Markovic Tournament campaign with a 4-1 victory over Japan, all eyes were on one name on the bench — not because of what he did, but because of who he is.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., son of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, made his first appearance for Portugal’s national setup, coming off the bench to mark what could be the beginning of an international journey. Yet, it wasn’t just the name that drew attention — there was also a tribute hidden in his appearance that pointed to another global icon of the game: Kylian Mbappe.
At just 14 years old, Cristiano Jr. is already stepping into the glare of the international spotlight. Though he currently plays for Al-Nassr’s youth team in Saudi Arabia, his call-up to the Portugal U15s is a significant milestone in a career that has long been in development under the public eye.
He made his debut during Portugal’s 4-1 win over Japan in Croatia, coming on as a second-half substitute in the 54th minute. The goals were already flowing by the time he entered the pitch — Rafael Cabral of Braga had scored a hat-trick, giving Portugal a commanding lead. Though Cristiano Jr. didn’t find the net himself, he showed encouraging signs in the final 25 minutes of the match.
“Congratulations on your debut for Portugal, son. Very proud of you!” wrote Cristiano Ronaldo on social media shortly after the match, beaming with pride from afar. The game marked the first of four for Portugal in the tournament, with matches against Greece and England up next, and another opponent still to be determined.
Footsteps, but a path of his own
Cristiano Jr.’s soccer journey is already unique. He’s played for youth teams at Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United, following in his father’s footsteps across Europe before settling at Al-Nassr alongside Ronaldo Sr. But while the surname has drawn inevitable comparisons, the young forward is carving out his own identity—sometimes in subtle, symbolic ways.
During training with the Portugal U15s ahead of the tournament, Cristiano Jr. stepped onto the field wearing Nike Mercurial boots worn by both his father and Kylian Mbappe, a move that caught attention among the Portuguese press.
The choice of boots — a limited-edition Mbappe model — was seen by many as a quiet tribute to the French superstar, who now plays for Real Madrid and has often spoken about the influence Cristiano Ronaldo had on his own game. The gesture, though small, sparked speculation about the players Cristiano Jr. looks up to, and the style he wants to emulate on the pitch.
