Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son earns first Portugal U17 call-up as father brings international career to an end

Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son is beginning to follow a path his father has spent more than two decades defining, having earned his first call-up to Portugal’s Under-17 side for November’s European Championship qualifiers. The selection comes at a significant moment for the family: Ronaldo, 41, announced his retirement from international football on November 5, ending a Portugal career that brought him 146 goals in 234 appearances, while continuing to play for Al Nassr.Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. receives first Portugal U17 call-upCristiano Ronaldo Júnior, 16, has been included in Filipe Ramos’ 23-man squad for Portugal’s Under-17 European Championship qualifying matches, marking his first selection at that level. The Al Nassr academy forward had previously represented his country at Under-15 and Under-16 level, scoring five goals in 13 appearances across those age groups.Portugal will face Andorra on November 11, Bulgaria on November 14 and Serbia on November 17, with all three matches scheduled to take place in Lisbon. The call-up represents another step in the teenager’s international development after progressing through Portugal’s youth teams.His selection also brings a familiar surname into the national set-up at a time when his father’s own international career has just ended.Ronaldo retires from Portugal duty as his son moves upRonaldo announced on November 5 that he was retiring from international football, bringing an end to a career in which he became the leading scorer in men's international football with 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal. He had represented the senior national team across six World Cups and won three major international titles, including Euro 2016 and two editions of the Nations League.His departure from international football does not mark the end of his playing career. Ronaldo remains active with Al Nassr, the Saudi club where his son has developed in the academy, and is still pursuing the 1,000-goal milestone in senior football.The younger Ronaldo is not yet close to the senior national team, but his first Under-17 selection gives him another opportunity to establish himself within Portugal’s international pathway.Could Cristiano Ronaldo and his son play together?The possibility of father and son sharing a football pitch has been discussed before. Ronaldo has previously expressed an interest in playing alongside his eldest son, although he has also made clear that the decision ultimately belongs to the teenager."I would like it, but it's not something that keeps me up at night," Ronaldo said in an interview with Edu Aguirre last year."It's more in his hands than in mine. The years are passing, and eventually, I'll have to leave football. Not only physically but psychologically. But whether he plays or not, I will be a proud father regardless."Reports from Saudi Arabia earlier this year suggested that Ronaldo Jr. was close to receiving an opportunity to train with Al Nassr’s senior squad. However, he remains at the academy level, and his first Portugal Under-17 call-up is the latest indication of his progress rather than an immediate route into senior football.Ronaldo has also acknowledged that his own time as a professional is approaching its end. In an interview published in August, he told Vogue: "This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy."For now, the two careers are moving along separate paths: Ronaldo continues his club career with Al Nassr after retiring from Portugal, while his son prepares for his first Under-17 international assignment.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.