Cristiano Ronaldo's Son Shatters His Father's Legendary Goalscoring Record
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. netted his maiden strike for Portugal's U16 squad in their match against Wales this past weekend, bringing his youth international goal count to three despite being only 15 years old.
By contrast, Ronaldo Sr. had not yet featured in any official international youth setup when he reached 15. The iconic striker waited until three weeks past his 16th birthday to represent Portugal's U15 team in February 2001, though he did celebrate that first cap with a goal against South Africa.
Multiple injury setbacks had postponed Ronaldo's international selection, and it required persistent advocacy from Aurélio Pereira, his mentor at Sporting CP, to persuade Carlos Dinis that this lanky winger deserved playing time. His performance was solid—though his teammates that day struggled considerably.
From the starting lineup that faced South Africa in Torres Novas 24 years ago, Ronaldo alone went on to earn even one senior international cap. He has since accumulated 225 matches for Portugal, notching an incredible 143 goals in the process, but this history should remind us of the challenges facing his son's aspirations.
Ronaldo Jr. presents an impressive physical presence as a teenager, already standing taller than his famous father. "At his current age, he's somewhat bigger and more powerful. I was more compact. I believe he'll surpass my height," Ronaldo Sr. accurately forecast during his stint on Saudi Pro League: Kickoff last season.
In a notable moment from the 2015 documentary about his father, Ronaldo Jr. expressed his desire to become a goalkeeper, clearly dismaying Cristiano Sr. That goal never materialized, and the youngster took his position on the left flank for his nation against Wales on Saturday, converting a first-touch right-footed strike into the lower corner.
Portugal U16 and their prominent attacker will return to competition against England this Tuesday.
Like Father, Like Son
Portugal's official X platform shared footage of Ronaldo Jr.'s goal with the straightforward caption, "like father, like son." This phrase became especially fitting as Ronaldo Sr. delivered a double for Al Nassr on that very same day.
Making his first outing since Al Nassr's King's Cup elimination by Karim Benzema's Al Ittihad, which prolonged Ronaldo's quest for silverware in Saudi Arabia, the 40-year-old striker was heading toward another frustrating outcome.
Al Nassr trailed mid-table Al Fayha on Saturday and, despite Ronaldo's 37th-minute leveler, remained deadlocked at 1–1 entering additional time. An apparently routine aerial contest between Abdulelah Al Amri and Mikel Villanueva triggered an unexpected VAR examination, which extended until the official eventually granted Al Nassr a questionable penalty. At the 104-minute mark, Ronaldo converted to claim three crucial points that maintain his team's league leadership.
"My pulse quickened today," Ronaldo Sr. reflected on his decisive penalty conversion. The same sentiment could certainly describe witnessing his son advance further in his emerging football journey.