Social media reactions have been largely critical following Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.’s debut for Portugal’s Under-15 team during the Vlatko Markovic international tournament in Croatia. The 14-year-old, who recently received his first call-up, came on as a substitute in the 54th minute of the match against Japan, helping Portugal secure a solid 4-1 victory.
Wearing the iconic No. 7 jersey—similar to the one famously donned by his father at clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus—Ronaldo Jr.’s performance did not meet the high expectations set by his father’s legacy. Many fans expressed skepticism over his selection, with some labeling it a case of nepotism. Comments on social media highlighted concerns about his skill level, body language on the field, and overall performance compared to his teammates.
One user stated, “He’s nowhere near the level of the other youngsters in the squad,” echoing sentiments of several others who commented on his passing, dribbling, and physical presence during the match. Another user remarked that the U15 coach must not have assessed his play prior to selection, prompting a backlash from fans who were expecting more.
Historically, Ronaldo Sr. had a head start in his youth career, making nine appearances for Portugal’s U15 team back in 2001 before rapidly advancing through the ranks to become the national team’s all-time top scorer. As the elder Ronaldo continues to play professionally at age 40 for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, the possibility of them sharing the pitch in the near future remains open, as he has expressed a desire to play alongside his son before retiring.
Ronaldo Jr.’s journey in football is just beginning, and this experience could serve as a crucial stepping stone in his development. Despite the criticism, he still has time to grow and improve within the Al-Nassr academy and possibly work his way up to the level of prominence achieved by his father. With determination and the right guidance, he could eventually flourish into a player worthy of the family name.