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Ronaldo Jr takes next Portugal step as dad exits international scene

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In short

The teenager entered the match for the final 20 minutes to earn his first cap at the Under-17 level for Portugal. Senior national team players including Joao Felix, Vitinha, Ruben Neves, and Goncalo Ramos watched the contest prior to their own training session. Coach Filipe Ramos had named the Al Nassr youth player to his 23-man squad earlier in November. Portugal will now continue their 2027 Under-17 European Championship qualifying campaign with upcoming fixtures against Bulgaria and Serbia.

Key points

  • The forward transitioned to Portugal's Under-17 squad after previously earning 13 caps ac…: The forward transitioned to Portugal's Under-17 squad after previously earning 13 caps across the Under-15 and Under-16 levels.
  • Portugal's qualification campaign for the 2027 Under-17 European Championship continues w…: Portugal's qualification campaign for the 2027 Under-17 European Championship continues with upcoming home matches against Bulgaria and Serbia.
  • The teenager previously developed in the youth academies of both Juventus and Manchester…: The teenager previously developed in the youth academies of both Juventus and Manchester United before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Nov 15 : Cristiano Ronaldo Jr was watched by a number of senior internationals as he made his Portugal Under-17 debut on Thursday, playing the final 20 minutes of a 4-0 European Championship qualifying win over Andorra.

Vitinha, Ruben Neves, Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix were among those in attendance at the Portuguese FA's Cidade do Futebol complex in Oeiras, on the outskirts of Lisbon, before their own training session.

For the 16-year-old Al Nassr forward, known as Cristianinho, it was another step up the international ladder — and a debut that came at a moment of changing generations.

Coach Filipe Ramos named him in his 23-player squad on November 2, three days before his father retired from international football.

The eldest son of Portugal's former captain made his Under-15 debut in 2025 before progressing to the Under-16s, collecting 13 appearances across those two age groups.

Portugal next host Bulgaria and Serbia in the first qualifying round for the 2027 Under-17 European Championship, with the top two teams advancing. All their matches will take place at Cidade do Futebol.

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