Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, the eldest son of Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, has received his first call-up to Portugal’s national under-17 football team ahead of the upcoming UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying matches.
The 16-year-old forward has been included in a 23-player squad selected by head coach Filipe Ramos, marking another step in his international youth career after previously representing Portugal at under-15 and under-16 levels.
Ronaldo Jr, who currently plays for the youth academy of Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, will join the Portuguese squad for three qualifying fixtures scheduled to take place at the Cidade do Futebol training complex in Oeiras, Portugal.
Portugal will begin its qualifying campaign against Andorra on November 11, followed by a match against Bulgaria on November 14. The team will conclude its group fixtures against Serbia on November 17.
The top two teams in the group will progress to the third and final qualifying round, keeping their hopes of securing a place in the European Under-17 Championship alive.
Ronaldo Jr has already gained experience representing Portugal in younger age categories, scoring two goals in four appearances for the under-15 national team.
He subsequently progressed to the under-16 squad, where he recorded three goals across nine matches. His combined record at the two levels stands at five goals in 13 international appearances.
His selection for the under-17 squad reflects his continued progression through Portugal’s youth football system, where he has been developing his international experience while competing at club level in Saudi Arabia.
The teenager’s football career has attracted considerable attention due to his father’s achievements in international football. His latest national team selection provides another opportunity to establish himself at a higher age-group level as he continues his development.
Hehebbd