Latest news with #VlatkoMarkovićInternationalTournament
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Ronaldo Jr joins Portugal U15, one step closer to playing with dad, Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo Sr celebrates son's call-up Ronaldo Jr's rising football career Portugal faces strong competition in Croatia Cristiano Ronaldo's 14-year-old son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr , has earned his first call-up to Portugal's Under-15 squad for the Vlatko Marković International Tournament in Croatia. The young forward, currently playing for Al-Nassr's youth team, will represent Portugal from May 13 to May 18. The young striker affectionally known as Cristianinho, is one of 22 teenagers who have been listed for the squad by manager Joao Jr's football journey mirrors his father's, having progressed through the junior ranks of clubs like Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United , and now Al-Nassr. The U15 squad will face teams like Japan, Greece, and England, with Ronaldo Jr potentially playing against England on May 16. Cristiano Ronaldo Sr expressed his pride on social media, reposting the announcement of Ronaldo Jr's inclusion in the U15 squad. The Portugal captain celebrated his son's achievement, sharing the news with his followers. Cristiano Ronaldo Sr has long expressed his desire to play alongside his son on the same pitch before retiring. Although he has acknowledged that this dream is in his son's hands, stating that "it's more in his hands than mine," Ronaldo Sr has made it clear that he would be incredibly proud if they were ever able to share the field together. However, he has also noted that the timing will depend on Ronaldo Jr's ambitions, as well as his own physical and mental readiness to continue playing at the top levelAt just 14, Ronaldo Jr has already achieved several remarkable milestones. He captained Al-Nassr's U13 team to victory in the Saudi U13 Premier League earlier this year. Additionally, Ronaldo Jr reportedly scored 58 goals in one season at Juventus and played alongside Wayne Rooney's son, Kai, during his time at Manchester United's youth he was born in San Diego, California, Ronaldo Jr opted to represent Portugal rather than the United States or Spain, choosing to follow in his father's footsteps. His decision was influenced by his father's legendary status with the Portugal national Vlatko Marković International Tournament will provide stiff competition for Portugal's U15 team. In addition to England, the squad will face Japan and Greece. The tournament will serve as a key opportunity for Portugal's youth team to showcase their talent on an international Cristiano Ronaldo Sr, who celebrated his 40th birthday in February, is preparing for Portugal's own international commitments. Ronaldo will lead Portugal in the UEFA Nations League semifinals against Germany on June 4. As Ronaldo Sr continues to represent his country at the highest level, Ronaldo Jr begins his journey with the Portugal youth team.
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Refugee goalkeeper Fahd Saleh 'over the moon' to coach for England
A Syrian refugee is coaching an England football squad, almost 10 years after his family were resettled in Saleh was a professional goalkeeper at one of Syria's top football clubs before fleeing the civil now works with under-15 players at the FA's St George's Park training ground in Staffordshire and will join them at the Vlatko Marković International Tournament at Čakovec in Croatia next said he was "absolutely buzzing" to be coaching national players and felt very proud to wear the team's three lions badge on his shirt. Fahd said he also felt "very lucky" to represent the country that had taken him in as a refugee."The country hosted my family and I, opened their hands, opened the schools for us. Having this opportunity to give something back to the country is really important," he spends three to four days a month at St George's Park as part of a one-year FA coaching contract and said the "fantastic" staff there had made him feel "part of the family".He added: "I'm grateful and honoured to have this opportunity to work with England, the country that brought me and my family here."It's [a way] to say thank you and give back." Fahd played for Al-Karamah, based in his home city of Homs, before the fled after his home was destroyed, and some of his teammates were arrested or disappeared. One was reportedly tortured to death in spent three and a half years in Jordan, where the UN Refugee Agency selected him for a relocation scheme for vulnerable arrived in the UK with his wife and two young sons in December 2015. He now has another son and daughter. They were one of four Syrian families resettled in Mansfield, a former mining town, which Fahd now describes as home."We came here anxious inside. A new environment, new culture, new food. Also without any English words at all, it was really tough," he said."With time we managed to improve our English, which was the golden key, to speak to people, to know you more and to help you settle into the area."I love it. I love my neighbours - they are very nice. We like the area. We like the people there." Fahd recalled an appointment at the job centre, where he said he wanted to resume his goalkeeping career as a coach."She looked at me and said 'this is a dream job'. In reality, it's not. I wanted someone to push and encourage me rather than put a barrier in front of the wheels," he joined an activity leadership course at West Nottinghamshire led to a PE teaching job at a local primary school and a part-time coaching role at League One outfit Mansfield Fahd has a full-time job at Championship side Sheffield United, where he is lead goalkeeper coach for the under-nine to under-16 players. 'Don't be afraid' Fahd said leaving the country where he was born had been "emotional" but was the right decision for his described how his life had "changed massively" after he started working again."The job was the real opportunity to increase my vocabulary, to speak to people, to get involved social-wise. It really pushed me forward," he now has British citizenship and has his own advice for refugees who struggle to integrate into life in the UK."Not being shy," he said. "Not being afraid to try to speak to people. I know the language is a massive barrier. But if you try, even if you make mistakes, people appreciate that."Fahd added that he wanted to put on record his thanks to everyone in the football world, as well as Mansfield, who had supported him and his family. Fahd said working at St George's Park had been a great chance to learn from "fantastic players and talented coaches"."Having an England shirt on my chest is something really big for me," he there was little doubt that football had helped him learn colloquial English, as Fahd explained how proud he felt."Absolutely over the moon. Over the moon with it," he added.
