Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., known as Cristianinho, has received his first call-up to the Portugal Under-17 national team. The 16-year-old is part of the squad selected by head coach Filipe Ramos for the upcoming UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers.
Cristianinho has already represented Portugal at the Under-15 and Under-16 levels, making his debut in 2025. He has featured in 13 matches across the two age groups, scoring five goals in total: two in four Under-15 appearances and three in nine outings for the Under-16 side.
Like his father, Cristiano Jr. plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, representing the club's youth team.
Portugal open their European Under-17 Championship qualifying campaign against Andorra on November 11, before facing Bulgaria and then Serbia three days later. All three matches will take place at Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras, the Portuguese Football Federation's training headquarters.
Portugal have been drawn in Group 6 alongside Andorra, Bulgaria and Serbia, and must finish in the top two to qualify for League A in the second round of qualifying. The 2027 European Championship will be held in Latvia, with eight teams competing for the title.
Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai in December 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo had praised his son's dribbling ability and speed, while stressing that talent alone would not guarantee success. "He has potential. He is fast, he dribbles well, but that's not enough. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication," Ronaldo said. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also made clear he would not pressure his son to become a professional footballer.
Junior's selection comes amid uncertainty over his father's own international future. The senior Ronaldo left the Portugal national team camp in September after being left unused in the fixture against Norway, following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old accused Jesus of going back on promises regarding his playing time and was subsequently fined and handed a 30-day suspension. A report from October 19 put the fine at €255 and noted the suspension had been backdated to the time of the offence.
Ronaldo remains in contention for a return to the national team when Portugal face Denmark on November 14 and Wales on November 17. Jesus is expected to announce the squad for those two fixtures on November 6.
