Cristiano Ronaldo honored his son Cristiano Jr for scoring a brace for Al-Nassr youth while celebrating his goal for Al-Nassr.
The Portuguese scored his third goal in four games this season as Al-Nassr edged out Al-Ettifaq to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2024-25 campaign. He converted a spot kick to give Al-Nassr a narrow 1-0 lead at the break.
Celebrating the goal, the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend was captured in footage pointing three fingers at his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, who was in the stands to watch the 39-year-old Dad play.
The reason for the gesture wasn’t farfetched. Earlier in the day before the Al-Ettifaq Vs Al-Nassr match, Cristiano Jr, 14, reportedly scored a brace for Al-Nassr youth as he continued imitating his Dad’s conquering goal-scoring run. Ronaldo’s three-finger gesture to the starlet saw the footballer take pride in his son’s heroics earlier in the day.
Meanwhile, Al Najdi and Anderson Talisca later added to Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal as Al-Nassr eased to a 3-0 victory over Al-Ettifaq to climb up to fourth on the Saudi Pro League table with 8 points.
However, Ronaldo stole the spotlights in the game for the recognition of his son’s heroics for the Al-Nassr youth team.
Ronaldo and Cristiano Jr’s rapport
Over the years, Cristiano Ronaldo has perfectly played the role of both a father, mentor, coach, and friend to Cristiano Jr. From luxurious family time with the young baller to individual private training sessions, the Madeira-born football icon has served the 14-year-old with grace as a father and athletics coach.
He has been spotted on multiple occasions sharing regimented gym sessions with the youngster.
Moreover, he does not leave the young boy to the training regimen of his club’s academy coaches but ensures he shares private training sessions with him.
Away from the stern and regimented training sessions, Ronaldo is also a loving father who doesn’t spare the hint of spoiling the burgeoning star with accolades in public.
In June 2024, the Portuguese went public yet again with his adoration of the young footballer as he celebrated his 14th birthday. Delineating the rapport and friendly father-to-son relationship, he described the Al-Nassr academy player as his ‘partner in crime,’ with footage of him wearing a warm smile.
“I can’t believe you’re 14, time flies. Congratulations, my partner in crime! Daddy loves you so much,” he wrote on Instagram.
Cristiano Jr’s academy heroics
Like a prince taking after the footsteps of the king, Cristiano Jr has not disappointed with his spells with different youth teams.
Note that the youngster has played in the youth teams of Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United and now Al-Nassr. He follows his Dad wherever he goes and has put up standout performances for the various youth teams he has played in.
His most notable performance was in the 2019 International Centenary Maritime Tournament in his native Madeira, Portugal.
Playing as a U9 forward for the Juventus youth, the young baller stole the spotlight with a sensational performance for the ages. He found the back of the net seven times in the first half as Juventus youth saw off Maritimo China 25-0 in the competition. Also, he pulled the highest goal tally in the tournament, scoring 25 goals as Juventus youth went on to clinch the title.
At Al-Nassr, the 14-year-old has continued his heroics. He was on the score sheet as Al-Nassr saw off Ohod 4-1 to clinch the Saudi U13 Championhips last season with two games to spare.
Can Cristiano Jr imitate his father’s heroics in football?
Cristiano Jr is an exciting and promising football talent. However, whether he will take after his father’s terrific and heroic stats in the round-leather game is unknown.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a rare gift to the footballing who may not likely be replaced soon, but the potential of a protege thoroughly schooled by the legendary footballer himself should not be underestimated. The boy clocked 14 recently and has a few years before tasting full senior professional football.
He has shown flashes of his potential, and it is hoped he will continue the same when finally breaking into senior professional football.
