Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., son of Portugal’s legendary captain Cristiano Ronaldo, has earned his first call-up to the country’s Under-17 national team, taking another significant step in his budding football career as he follows in the footsteps of one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

The 16-year-old forward was named among 23 players selected by head coach Filipe Ramos for the first round of the European Under-17 Championship qualifiers, with Portugal preparing to face Andorra, Bulgaria and Serbia in a campaign scheduled for November, blueprint reports.

His inclusion marks his progression to another level of Portugal’s youth national teams, having previously represented the country at Under-15 and Under-16 levels, where he has already established an encouraging international record.

For the youngster, popularly known as Cristianinho in Portugal, the invitation also carries a special significance, given his father’s extraordinary contributions to Portuguese football over more than two decades.

Following in his father’s footsteps

Cristiano Ronaldo’s relationship with Portugal’s national team began in August 2003, when he made his senior international debut against Kazakhstan.

Since then, he has developed into the country’s most celebrated footballer, becoming its record appearance holder and all-time leading goalscorer.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal as of September 2026, according to UEFA statistics, setting international records that have placed him among football’s most accomplished players.

His greatest achievements with the national team include captaining Portugal to its first major international trophy at the 2016 European Championship in France.

Although Ronaldo was forced off through injury during the final against France, Portugal went on to secure a historic 1-0 extra-time victory through Eder’s goal, handing the country its first European Championship title.

He subsequently led Portugal to another major triumph at the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, when the hosts defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in Porto.

Six years later, Ronaldo captained the country to a second Nations League title, with Portugal defeating Spain on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the 2025 final in Munich. Ronaldo scored Portugal’s second goal in regulation time before his teammates completed the victory in the shootout.

His individual achievements at the European Championship are equally remarkable. He holds the competition’s records for most appearances, with 30, and most goals, with 14, while becoming the first player to feature in six editions of the tournament.

It is against this remarkable international background that his eldest son is beginning to establish his own identity within Portuguese football.

Ronaldo Jr’s growing international record

Despite the attention that comes with being the son of a global football icon, Ronaldo Jr. has already begun building his own record in Portugal’s youth teams.

The teenager has made 13 appearances for the country’s Under-15 and Under-16 sides, scoring five goals in the process.

He recorded four appearances and two goals at Under-15 level before making nine appearances for the Under-16 team, where he added three goals to his tally.

His performances at those levels have now earned him an opportunity to progress to the Under-17 team, where he could make his competitive debut during the forthcoming European Championship qualifying matches.

Ronaldo Jr. currently plays for the youth team of Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where his father also features for the senior side.

His development has attracted considerable attention, but the latest invitation represents an important opportunity to demonstrate his abilities against players from other European countries.

Three crucial fixtures for Portugal

According to the Portuguese Football Federation’s announcement, Ronaldo Jr. is among the 23 players selected by Ramos for the first qualifying round.

The squad will assemble at Cidade do Futebol, the headquarters and training facility of the Portuguese Football Federation, from November 6 to 17.

Portugal will begin its campaign against Andorra on November 11 before taking on Bulgaria three days later, on November 14. The team will conclude its fixtures against Serbia on November 17.

All three matches will be played at Cidade do Futebol.

Portugal must finish among the top two teams in Group 6 to advance to the second round of the qualifying competition.

The squad is drawn largely from some of Portugal’s established football academies, with Benfica supplying six players, while FC Porto have five representatives. Sporting CP and Sporting Braga have three and four players respectively.

Other clubs represented include Al-Nassr, Santos, Hoffenheim and Vitória de Guimarães.

Ronaldo Jr. is the only Al-Nassr representative in the squad.

A new generation under the shadow of a legendary name

The teenager’s progress inevitably brings comparisons with his father, whose career has been defined by extraordinary achievements at club and international levels.

However, Ronaldo himself has previously indicated that he does not intend to force his son into becoming a professional footballer, stressing the importance of allowing the youngster to make his own decisions while working hard to develop his potential.

The younger Ronaldo has already experienced football environments across different countries, having been associated with the youth systems of clubs where his father played before joining Al-Nassr’s academy in Saudi Arabia.

His first Under-17 invitation therefore represents more than another international appearance; it is an opportunity to take another step towards establishing himself within Portugal’s football structure.

While his father’s legacy provides a remarkable reference point, the youngster’s immediate challenge is to translate his progress at youth level into consistent performances for his country.

Should he make his debut during the forthcoming qualifiers, it will mark another milestone in a football journey that began under the shadow of an extraordinary name but is gradually taking shape in its own right.