Cristiano Ronaldo's son is on his way to a career in football having been part of Manchester United and Juventus academies and, if he succeeds, will have a number of international options
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Cristiano Ronaldo, partner Georgina Rodriguez and son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr
Cristiano Ronaldo accompanied by his partner Georgina Rodriguez and his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr
(Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo's son will not be short of options on the international stage if he can go at least some way to replicating his father's footballing career. Cristiano Jr, who is currently playing within Al-Nassr's academy, is eligible to play for three different nations should his ability merit the opportunity.
The youngster has been involved in youth teams at Juventus and Manchester United before moving to the Middle East, following his dad as he completed transfers around the world. Ronaldo's eldest son is said to have trained two years above his age group upon arriving at the Mahd Academy in 2023, and reportedly could have returned to Real Madrid.
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His life spent around the globe has opened up a number of avenues for the teenager to potentially realise in the future. An international career with Portugal, Spain or the United States could await.
Ronaldo Jr is able to represent Portugal through his father of course, and qualifies for Spain after spending most of his formative years in the country. FIFA rules permit eligibility as he spent three or more years in the nation before turning 10.
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And the United States could yet come calling for the teenager. Ronaldo Jr was born in California and it is reported he would qualify to represent the country as a result.
Any desire for the next Ronaldo to represent England quickly ended however. The youngster joined his father when he made his return to Old Trafford, but would have been required to spend five years in the country to qualify.
Ronaldo Jr has the ambition to become a professional, but his 40-year-old father is keen not to put too much pressure on his son.
Cristiano Ronaldo's son has been spotted in attendance at a number of his matches
Cristiano Ronaldo's son has been spotted in attendance at a number of his matches
(Image: Lars Baron/Getty Images)
"This generation, it is difficult to tell them something and let them do it,' he said last year. "They will always see their daddy as an example, they see me every day in what I do, at home, in training, or in a game. They see me work a lot.
"Right in this moment, Cristiano want to be a football player but I don't make big pressure, I make a little. He's 14 years old, he has pressure already to be the son of Cristiano [senior]. Let him do his own mistakes, but I hope that in the future he can be a professional player.
"If he doesn't become a player, maybe another job, but I will always support him. We cannot put pressure on our sons because we are famous."
Since making his move to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has spent some time with Al Nassr's academy and offered some advice.
Ronaldo said: "It makes me happy to be here, not just because my son is here too. This age is very important because they in four or five years they will be professional.
“So my advice is to believe, listen to coaches, work hard, don’t sleep late. This is what I say to Cristiano.
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“I really believe that in a few years one of them, a few of them, will be in the first team."
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