Cristiano Ronaldo Jr could make a major career decision soon which may backfire
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. of Portugal U15 looks on during the Vlatko Markovi International Match between Croatia U15 and Portugal U15 at Stadion SRC Mladost on May 18, 2025 in akovec, Croatia.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr could come under more pressure if he joins Real Madrid(Image: Pixsell/MB Media, Getty Images)
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Cristiano Ronaldo Jr could be subjected to the same pressure and scrutiny that Kai Rooney experiences if he completes his transfer to Real Madrid. The 15-year-old, son of the Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, recently trained with Real Madrid's Under-16s team in Spain.
He is on the books of Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where his father plays, having also had spells at Juventus and Manchester United's academies during his dad's stints with the two clubs.
Ronaldo Jr may soon become a permanent member of Los Blancos’ academy, having temporarily relocated back to Spain with his family while his father recovers from a hamstring injury. Such a move would be monumental for the teenager, boosting his development as he competes against the very best in his age group.
However, by signing for Real Madrid, he will also face unprecedented scrutiny, given his father is considered the greatest player in the club's illustrious history. Ronaldo Jr's performances for the Spanish giants will attract far more attention than his games for Al-Nassr over the past three years, as fans will be eager to see if he mirrors the Los Blancos legend on the pitch.
Ronaldo Jr, who has represented Portugal's Under-15s and Under-17s, will either emerge from this experience a better footballer or crumble, potentially damaging his promising career.
Another gifted youngster who has faced the burden of representing a huge club where his father is the all-time top scorer is Kai Rooney, the 16-year- old son of Wayne Rooney. Since arriving at United's academy in 2020, aged just 11, the striker has endured constant comparisons to Wayne.
Rooney even lined up alongside the young Ronaldo, just as their dads had done in the noughties, for a short spell after the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's return to United in 2021.
However, Rooney has already successfully handled what Ronaldo Jr will be hoping to achieve in Spain by taking the pressure in his stride and thriving in the spotlight. He recently made the step up to Darren Fletcher's Under-18s side and made his Old Trafford debut in the FA Youth Cup earlier this year.
Kai Rooney of Manchester United U21 during the FA Youth Cup quarter final match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on March 18, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Kai Rooney is thriving in Manchester United's academy(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
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Discussing the level of scrutiny his son and Ronaldo Jr face, Wayne said: "There's a bit more pressure on them as well. Kai and (when) Ronaldo came back, Ronaldo's lad and Michael Carrick's lad were all on the same team.
"You go and watch and then all of a sudden there's like 10 times the amount of people that's normally there, all around the pitch watching, so there's a lot more pressure because they're coming to watch the three kids to see how they play and stuff. They've got to be ready."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney
Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were legends in Manchester(Image: Getty Images)
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Rather than becoming frustrated by the endless comparisons, Rooney's mother, Coleen, says he copes with it with relative ease. She told The Times: "He's lived it from a young age.
"When we used to go to matches when he was younger, he'd get a lot of people coming up saying, 'Oh, are you Wayne Rooney's son?' But he's strong-minded, always has been. I've got no worries in the way he deals with it."
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Cristiano Ronaldo wants to play alongside his eldest son and his dream has received a boost after Real Madrid invited the teenager to train with their under-16s with a view to signing him
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 03: Cristiano Ronaldo and his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr greet the crowd during the official unveiling of Cristiano Ronaldo as an Al Nassr player at Mrsool Park Stadium on January 3, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo's son currently plays for Al-Nassr(Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
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Cristiano Ronaldo's eldest son is training with Real Madrid with a view to signing for the La Liga giants. Cristiano Jr, 15, currently plays for his dad's club, Al-Nassr, at youth level in Saudi Arabia.
The teenager, who's a striker, previously played in the academies of Manchester United and Juventus, two more of Ronaldo senior's former clubs. On Tuesday, Cristiano Jr trained with Madrid's under-16 side.
[The Athletic](http:// https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7133589/2026/03/25/cristiano-ronaldo-jr-real-madrid-transfer/) report that Bernabeu chiefs are considering signing him in the near future. Cristiano Jr has played for Portugal's youth teams, most recently at under-17 level.
He received his first call-up for Portugal's U15s in May of last year, making his debut against Japan in the Vlatko Markovic International Tournament. Ronaldo has previously spoken of his desire to play alongside his son in a professional match.
The 41-year-old explained in 2025: "I would like it, I would like it. It's not something that keeps me up at night, but I would like it. We'll see. It's more in his hands than in mine.
"The years are starting to pass and, obviously, Cris will have to, one day, leave football, because the years I'm extending... There will come a time when it's no longer possible. Not only physically but psychologically.
"But I also don't see it as an obsession. He will follow his path, his trajectory. I will be a proud father, I will be proud of whatever he wants to do. If he plays, 'top'. If he doesn't play, we tried. At least his father tried hard. But it won't be a problem either, in my opinion."
ZAGREB, CROATIA - MAY 18: Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. of Portugal U15 with the Vlatko Markovi International Tournament trophy after winning Vlatko Markovi International Match between Croatia U15 and Portugal U15 at Stadion SRC Mladost on May 18, 2025 in akovec, Croatia. (Photo by Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr represents Portugal at youth level(Image: Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images)
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But Ronaldo won't play forever, admitting that he's in the final years of his extraordinary career as he closes in on reaching the 1,000 goal mark. The Portugal captain will appear at what's likely to be his final World Cup this summer while his contract with Al-Nassr is due to expire in 2027.
"It's hard to continue playing, but I am motivated," Ronaldo said. "My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn't matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.
"You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number [1,000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries."
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