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Cristiano Ronaldo is known and loved around the world for his skills as a pro football player. But when he is not scoring goals, he is a family man and the proud father of five children (and possibly more to come if he wants to make up that famous number seven on his shirt). His oldest son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., is already making headlines for his impressive talent, and it looks likely that he will follow in his father’s footsteps.
But who is Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. and what has he accomplished as a junior athlete that make fans so excited to see what he can do in the future? And if he was to become a pro, like his dad, would Ronaldo be supportive of this decision?
Who Is Cristiano Ronaldo’s Son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.?
Pro footballer Cristiano Ronaldo (who is super famous and mega-wealthy) is a proud father of five, but his journey into fatherhood started with his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. is named after his father and was born on June 17, 2010 (although many of the details surrounding his birth have been kept secret).
At the time, Ronaldo is believed to have made a statement about the birth of his son (via Us Weekly), and it showed he was thrilled to become a dad.
“It is with great joy and emotion that I inform I have recently become a father to a baby boy,” Ronaldo said. “As agreed with the baby’s mother, who prefers to have her identity kept confidential, my son will be under my exclusive guardianship.”
Ronaldo has chosen not to reveal who his son’s mother is and it does not appear he will change his mind any time soon.
“Some points in life are private and people have to respect the privacy. When Cristiano is going to grow up, I am always, always going to say the truth to him because he deserves it, because he is my son. But I am not going to say [it just] because people want me to say,” Ronaldo told Jonathan Ross in a 2015 interview. His words ensure that he will not be asked about this topic again in the future.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. also has four half-siblings (sadly one of Ronaldo’s babies passed away). They are twins Eva Maria and Mateo Ronaldo who were born on June 8, 2017, via a surrogate. A daughter, Alana Martina, born on Nov. 12, 2017, who his father shares with long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez and a second daughter, with Rodriguez, Bella Esmeralda, born on April 18, 2022.
There was always going to be a keen interest in Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. because of who is father is and the mystery surrounding his mother. However, he has also made headlines for reasons completely unrelated to his famous dad, and that is for his skills as a footballer. He started football when he was young and was signed to Manchester United’s Under-12s in 2022, The Mirror reports.
He even wore the same No. 7 shirt that his father has famously worn. The similarities made this a very special event, which, unsurprisingly, resulted in some fan interest.
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The Mirror also notes that when Ronaldo played for the Italian football club Juventus, his son was involved in their youth program. There have been several videos that have emerged showing Ronaldo Jr.’s goals and “similarities he shares with his father in the way plays,” the publication reports.
“I hope that Cris, my son, can be like his dad. He says he is going to be better [than me], but I think it’s difficult. He is playing for Juventus and adapting really well, it has been easier for him than for me,” Cristiano Ronaldo said at the time (via The Mirror).
In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. made headlines again after his father signed a contract with Saudi Arabia’s team Al-Nassr. He is believed to also be training in Saudi Arabia at the Mahd Academy, and The Irish Mirror notes he has been with an age group of players two years older than he is.
It is also worth noting that while the term “nepo baby” has been thrown out a lot in recent years, it does not seem fair to refer to Ronaldo Jr. as one. While he would have connections thanks to his father’s many years in the sporting world, to be a professional player, you need skills and this is something that has to be earned all on his own.
And from the looks of it, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. is not afraid to put in the hard work to become one of the next greats.
What Has Cristiano Ronaldo Said About His Son’s Talents?
Cristiano Ronaldo prefers to keep some details of his private life to himself, but he has made it known that he loves his role as a father. One of his most memorable quotes on the topic was when he stated in an interview with Correio da Manha (via Us Weekly), “[Cristiano Jr.] wants more brothers and sisters. He wants seven, the magic number. I think that’s good.”
He has also commented on his firstborns skills, and he seems supportive of his goals. “My son says to me ‘Dad, hang in there for a few more years, I want to play with you,'” Cristiano Ronaldo said about his son joining Manchester United’s Under-12s in 2022, News18 reports.
Despite being supportive, if Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. does not become a footballer his father will not be disappointed. “We’ll see if my son will become a great footballer, he has potential. He is fast and dribbles well, but that is not enough. I always tell him that it takes work and dedication to have success,” Ronaldo said.
“I won’t pressure him to become a footballer, but if you ask me if I want him to, yes I would like it. The most important thing is to become the best at whatever he does, whether it is as a footballer or a doctor.”
