Latest news with #MariaDolores
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 14, given dad's number and copies iconic pose as he makes Portugal debut with grandma watching
CRISTIANO RONALDO JR made his international debut for Portugal's Under-15s on Tuesday - and wore his dad's iconic number. The 14-year-old was named on the bench ahead of Portugal's match against Japan at a youth tournament in Croatia. 5 Cristiano Ronaldo Jr made his Portugal U15s debut on Tuesday Credit: Splash 5 The teenager wore his dad's iconic No7 Credit: Splash 5 His grandmother, Maria Dolores, watched on from the sidelines Credit: Splash And he was introduced in the 54th minute with his team leading 3-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Braga forward Rafael Cabral. Ronaldo Jr was given the No7 shirt for the occasion - the number his dad has worn throughout his incredible career. And he was even pictured in his dad's signature free kick pose during the warm-up. Maria Dolores, the teenager's grandmother and Cristiano Ronaldo's mother, was there to watch from the sidelines. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL TAKE YOUR VIK Arsenal striker dilemma as club 'have reservations' between Gyokeres & Sesko She was seen wearing her son's iconic 2010 World Cup shirt before the match. Ronaldo Jr is also set to face Greece and England in the Vlatko Markovic tournament. The young Al-Nassr academy star earned his first call-up to Portugal's U15s last week. His dad posted confirmation of the news on social media with a touching message that read: "Proud of you, son." Ronaldo Jr currently plays in Al-Nassr's youth ranks having followed his dad to Saudi Arabia over two years ago. The youngster has also represented youth teams at Juventus and Mancheter United. Cristiano Ronaldo appears to argue with himself as he fights back tears after Al-Nassr cup KO Three years ago, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo revealed that his son was determined to play alongside him one day. He said: "My son tells me: dad, hold on a few more years, I want to play with you!" 5 Ronaldo Jr was pictured in a similar stance to his dad's iconic free kick pose Credit: Splash
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Cristiano Ronaldo's mother proudly watches on as Portugal legend's son, 14, warms up ahead of his first U15s game against Japan - and wears iconic World Cup shirt from the sidelines
Cristiano Ronaldo 's mother proudly watched on from the sidelines as her grandson warmed up before being named on the bench for Portugal's U15s clash against Japan on Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo Jr trained with Portugal's youth ranks for the first time this week and will hope to come on to make his first appearance for the U15s side in Croatia. The 14-year-old youngster, who plays for the youth academy of his father's Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, is eligible to represent a host of nations including Spain and the USA. Although he will not officially commit his future to a country until he makes a senior appearance at international level, it looks as though Ronaldo Jr is favouring Portugal after being called up for their youth side, following in his father's footsteps. Manchester United and Real Madrid legend Ronaldo, 40, represented the Portugal U15s on nine occasions in 2001 before quickly accelerating through the youth ranks. He went on to become Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer with 136 goals from 219 appearances, winning the European Championship in 2016 and Nations League in 2019. Keen to witness her family continue the legacy, Ronaldo's mother Maria Dolores watched on from the sidelines as her grandson geared up for the match, which is part of the Vlatko Markovic tournament staged in Croatia. Smiling as he trained and warmed up with team-mates, she was pictured sporting Ronaldo's iconic 2010 World Cup jersey. With the Al-Nassr superstar set to retire in the next few years, there will be plenty of pressure on Ronaldo Jr's shoulders to follow in his father's footsteps once the baton is passed over fully. The young striker, affectionally known as Cristianinho, was one of 22 teenagers who were listed to feature at the tournament by manager Joao Santos. During an earlier training session with Portugal's U15s this week, Ronaldo Jr was spotted wearing CR7 Nike Mercurials as well as Kylian Mbappe's latest Nike boots. Before impressing at Al-Nassr, the 14-year-old was previously a part of the youth academies at Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United — all of his father's former teams. Despite turning 40 in February, the Ballon d'Or winner has admitted in the past he would like to play on the same pitch as his son. The veteran player said recently: 'I would like it, I would like it. It's not something that keeps me awake at night but we'll see.' He added: ' It's more in his hands than mine. The years are starting to go by and one day I'll have to let it go. There will come a time when it is no longer possible. Not only physically but also psychologically.' Speaking about his son's footballing future to Portuguese newspaper Record he added: 'He will follow his path, his career. I will be a proud father, I will be proud of what he wants to do. 'If he plays, 'top'. If he doesn't play, we tried. At least his father tried. But it won't be a problem either, in my opinion.'
