Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, the eldest son of Cristiano Ronaldo, trained with Real Madrid's Under 16 side on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. The 15-year-old forward, who can play on either flank or through the middle, is currently on the academy books of Saudi side Al-Nassr, where his father plays. Before joining Al-Nassr in 2023, Ronaldo Jr played in Juventus' academy, following his father's moves across Europe. The training session with Real Madrid has sparked speculation about a potential future move, though no official agreement has been confirmed.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr are considering promoting Ronaldo Jr to their first team next season, according to Saudi outlet Al Wiam. The Saudi Pro League allows players to feature from the age of 16, meaning Ronaldo Jr could become eligible for senior football as early as next year. His father, Cristiano Ronaldo, turned 41 in February and is under contract with Al-Nassr until the end of next season. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has expressed a desire to play alongside his son in a professional match. According to Daily Mirror - Football, Cristiano Ronaldo described his wish to share the pitch with his son, saying it is something he would like but not an obsession, and that it depends more on his son's path. Al-Nassr are currently top of the Saudi Pro League table by eight points with five games to go, though Al-Hilal have a game in hand and will face Al-Nassr in a potential title decider in May.
I'm trying to make a name for myself, not try and be my dad because I'm my own person. I want to see how my career goes, obviously try to do the best I can and try to reach the biggest stages. I'm just focusing on me and to try to not let any pressure get to me and just keep working on me day by day, month by month.
Ronaldo Jr has already made a name for himself on the international stage. He is a regular for Portugal at youth level and helped them win the Under-17 World Cup in 2025, showcasing his potential as a rising star. His current club status remains with Al-Nassr, but the training stint with Real Madrid suggests he may be exploring options for his development.
In a parallel story, another footballing son is making strides in England. Kai Rooney, the 16-year-old son of former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, has been in Manchester United's academy since 2020. A forward who finishes school in the summer, Kai is likely to be offered a scholarship worth £50,000 a year by Manchester United either in the summer or on the eve of the new season, according to The Sun. He played his first match at Old Trafford in an FA Youth Cup tie earlier this year. According to Daily Mail - Home, Kai Rooney described his determination to forge his own identity, saying he is trying to make a name for himself and not be compared to his father, focusing on his own career and ignoring pressure. His mother, Coleen Rooney, also told Daily Mail - Home that Kai once asked his father to stop attending his grassroots games because he would get swarmed by fans, making it difficult for Wayne to watch.
Kai told Wayne to stop coming to football games when he played grassroots tournaments and stuff, because he used to get swarmed, and he couldn't even watch the game. How do you say to all of these kids, 'Go away, I'm watching my son?' Adults, it's different, you could speak to them, so he (Kai) just said, 'Oh, dad, there's no point you coming because you d...'
Michael Carrick's son, Jacey, is also a highly-rated youngster at Manchester United, continuing the trend of footballing dynasties at the club. The presence of these second-generation talents highlights the enduring legacy of former United stars.
Several unknowns remain regarding these developments. It is unclear whether Ronaldo Jr has officially signed or agreed to join Real Madrid's academy, or if Al-Nassr will actually promote him to the first team next season. The exact timeline for Kai Rooney's potential scholarship offer is also uncertain, and it is not known if any other clubs are interested in signing Ronaldo Jr. Furthermore, how Ronaldo Jr's training with Real Madrid affects his current status with Al-Nassr has not been clarified.
I would like it, I would like it. It's not something that keeps me up at night, but I would like it. We'll see. It's more in his hands than in mine. The years are starting to pass and, obviously, Cris will have to, one day, leave football, because the years I'm extending... There will come a time when it's no longer possible. Not only physically but psychologically. But I also don't see it as an obsession. He will follow his path, his trajectory. I will be a proud father, I will be proud of whatever he wants to do. If he plays, 'top'. If he doesn't play, we tried. At least his father tried hard. But it won't be a problem either, in my opinion.