Like Father, Like Son: Cristiano Jr. Nets First Portugal U16 Goal with Ronaldo Precision

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., 15, has begun carving his own path in football, scoring his first-ever goal for Portugal’s Under-16 team with a clinical finish in a 3-0 victory over Wales at the Federations Cup in Antalya, Turkey. In the 42nd minute, the young striker received a perfectly weighted pass from Carlos Moita and fired a low right-footed shot into the far corner, displaying the composure and precision that echo his father’s legendary style. Rafael Cabral later added two goals to seal the win, but the spotlight remained on “ fixer, who is no longer just “Cristiano Ronaldo’s son” but a rising talent in his own right.

The teenager’s football journey has been global, shaped by stints in the youth academies of Real Madrid and Juventus before joining Al-Nassr’s setup in Saudi Arabia, where his father continues to dominate the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo Sr. has always spoken proudly yet cautiously of his son’s potential, noting his competitiveness while emphasizing the need for independence: “He doesn’t like to lose, just like me. I don’t put big pressure on him—he already has enough being my son. Let him make his own mistakes and grow.”

Earlier this year, Cristiano Jr. shone for Portugal U15s, scoring twice in the final of the Vlatko Markovic Tournament to secure a 3-2 win over Croatia. Now, with his U16 debut goal, he’s proving he belongs on the international stage. Meanwhile, Ronaldo Sr. (40) mirrored his son’s success hours earlier, scoring twice—including a dramatic last-minute penalty—to lead Al-Nassr to a 2-1 comeback win over Al-Feiha. Father and son, scoring for club and country on the same day—proof that the Ronaldo legacy is alive, evolving, and still finding the net.