The Ronaldo legacy might just be in good hands. Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., following in his legendary dad's footsteps, made a real splash in his debut with Portugal's Under-15 squad. The 14-year-old, who folks are calling "Cristianinho," laced up for Portugal in the "Vlatko Markovic" International Tournament over in Croatia, in a game Portugal handily won 4-1 against Japan.
Even though he started the game on the bench, the moment he stepped onto the field in the second half, you could feel the buzz. Rocking the iconic number 7 jersey his father made famous, Cristiano Jr. slotted onto the left wing, the same spot where his old man first started tearing it up.
While he didn't get a ton of clear shots on goal, he definitely flashed some serious potential. One play in particular got social media buzzing and the experts talking. Word is, around the 34-minute mark, Cristianinho got the ball near the sideline and had three Japanese defenders all over him. But with some quick feet and slick dribbling, he danced right past all three of 'em, showing off some serious skill and confidence for his age. It was the kind of move that instantly brought his dad's highlight reel to mind, sparking comparisons and getting folks real excited about his future.
The game itself ended with a comfortable win for Portugal, thanks to a hat-trick from Rafael Cabral and another goal from Henrique Amen. But let's be real, Cristiano Jr.'s debut was the main event. His dad, Cristiano Ronaldo Sr., was quick to jump on social media and show his pride, congratulating his son on his first cap. His grandma, Dolores Aveiro, was also in the stands, cheering on her grandson for this big moment.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.'s debut has got the whole soccer world talking. According to beIN SPORTS, over 15 European clubs sent scouts to the tournament specifically to get a look at the young talent. The list of interested teams includes giants like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Manchester United, where he even spent some time in their youth ranks.
With his natural talent, that famous last name, and a supportive family behind him, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. has got the goods to potentially follow in his father's footsteps and become a global soccer star. His debut with Portugal's Under-15 squad was a promising first step in his career, leaving fans eager to see what he does next.
from: elfutbolero.us