Cristiano Ronaldo Júnior played his first international match in the under-16 national team.
In May, Cristiano Ronaldo Júnior was still playing in the under-15 national team. EPA / AOP
This moment has been long awaited.
Cristiano Ronaldo Junior15, has finally grown to such a size that Portugal’s under-16 national team coach Filipe Ramos could send him to the field in an official match.
The debut took place on Thursday in Turkey, where Portugal led the hosts 2–0 by Samuel Tavares and by Rafael Cabral with goals. The second-generation national team striker known by the nickname Cristianinho entered the field in the 90th minute of the match.
The junior will have a chance to get more playing minutes already on Saturday, when Portugal’s under-16s face Wales. Turkey’s tournament ends with a match against England next Tuesday.
Last May, Cristianinho scored two goals in the under-15 national team shirt.
His father Cristiano Ronaldo is the most effective national team player in history with 143 goals in no less than 225 international matches. The 40-year-old Ronaldo senior will continue his national team career at least until next summer’s World Cup finals.