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Cast your mind back to the year 2016, when Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were making headlines with their performances at Real Madrid and Manchester United, respectively. Both were basking in the glory of their careers, standing as towering figures in the realm of football.
Fast forward a decade to 2026, and we might just witness a similar scene at these iconic clubs — only this time, it could be their progeny, Ronaldo Jr. and Rooney Jr., taking the spotlight at Madrid and United.
Recently, news emerged that Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son, also named Cristiano Ronaldo, participated in a training session with Real Madrid’s Under-16 squad on Tuesday, hinting at a potential future commitment to the club.
The young Ronaldo faces a unique kind of pressure, one that comes with being the offspring of a football legend. Nonetheless, he approaches the game with joy and determination, and his knack for scoring goals certainly boosts his confidence.
Ronaldo Jr. has consistently followed in his father’s footsteps throughout his budding career. Prior to 2022, he was honing his skills at Juventus’ academy before transitioning to Manchester United. Currently, he resides in Saudi Arabia, yet a move to Madrid — where his father achieved immense success — seems increasingly likely on the horizon.
Wayne Rooney’s son, Kai (second right), is enjoying success in Manchester United’s academy
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr (left), meanwhile plays for Al-Nassr’s youth setup, while his father (centre) plays for the first team
As for Kai Rooney, it’s only ever been United. You can skip Everton. No need to announce yourself when your surname is Rooney.
The 16-year-old forward, who finishes school in the summer, has been in United’s academy since 2020 and the club have been impressed by his progress.
It is likely a scholarship will be offered to the youngster in the summer or on the eve of the new season, with a £50,000 a year deal in the pipeline, according to The Sun.
The Rooneys – Kai’s parents Wayne and Colleen – are regulars at their son’s games. Earlier this year, Kai played in his first match at Old Trafford in an FA Youth Cup tie, and the couple were there, flanked by the likes of first team manager Michael Carrick, whose son, Jacey, is also a highly-rated youngster at United.
And back in July, Carrick and Rooney flew to Northern Ireland to see Kai and Jacey competing in the Budget Energy Super Cup NI at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
‘I’m trying to make a name for myself, not try and be my dad because I’m my own person,’ Kai said back in August 2024. ‘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.’
The Rooney name is a blessing and a curse. ‘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,’ Coleen explained during her time in the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle in 2024. ‘How do you say to all of these kids, “Go away, I’m watching my son?”
Kai has said he wants to ‘try and make a name for himself’ despite his dad’s success
Though currently injured, Kai has earned a call-up to United’s Under-18 side at the age of 16
Coleen and Wayne Rooney try to keep a low profile in the stands when watching heir son play
‘Adults, it’s different, you could speak to them, so he (Kai) just said, “Oh, dad, there’s no point you coming because you don’t even watch me play anyway.” Which is sad, but it can’t be helped.’
This week, Coleen and Wayne watched on as their son Kai was awarded the U16 Premier League Shield with Manchester United on Tuesday. They are proud parents, and their son has a real shot at glory, having recently been involved with the U18 side at Old Trafford.
And the same goes for Ronaldo Jr. Growing up, he was a team-mate of Kai’s, just as their dads once were. In one game in March 2022, they were both on the scoresheet for United’s U12 team.
They seemed to be doing well together as they made their ways through the age groups, but Ronaldo Jr was essentially taken out of the United team when his father quit the Red Devils in late 2022.
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo Sr launched a verbal attack on United and then-manager Erik ten Hag that resulted in his exit and a sour ending to his second stint with the club. He moved to Saudi, and Ronaldo Jr followed.
There is a debate to be had over whether leaving the academy of one of the most famous clubs in the world for Saudi Arabia is best for business. But, when Ronaldo Sr makes a call, little can be done.
In Saudi, Ronaldo Jr has enjoyed success, sharing footage of his free kicks in training – without his dad’s signature pose – and now it’s just a waiting game to see what club he is playing for when he does make his senior debut.
At the same time, he has been a regular with Portugal’s youth team. Although he was born in the United States, Ronaldo Jr has chosen to represent the country of his father – earning his first call-up in their youth setup last May.
Ronaldo Jr, who represents Portugal’s youth team, trained with Real Madrid’s academy on Tuesday ahead of a future move
Ronaldo Sr is Real’s all-time record goalscorer and arguably their greatest-ever player, with his son so far playing for four of his clubs
He made his debut against Japan in the Vlatko Markovic International Tournament and has since represented his country at U17 level. It may not be too long until he has at least some involvement with the senior team.
Much has been made of Kai’s success on the field, too. When playing alongside Ronaldo for United’s U12 side in the 2021-22 season, he scored 56 goals and assisted 28 more.
Earlier this year, he scored four goals in one game for the U16s, and now he is doing his best to grab his U18s opportunity with both hands.
Unfortunately for him, Kai has revealed that he is out for the rest of the season in a heartbreaking post on Instagram, but hopes to be back for pre-season.
So it’s over to you, Ronaldo Jr. Will it be Al-Nassr, or will it be the leap to Real Madrid? Whichever he choses, his career will be followed closely because of his name.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show in 2025, Rooney Sr spoke of his son’s time with Ronaldo Jr in the United youth team, and how there is constant scrutiny of younger players who have famous dads.
‘There’s a bit more pressure on them as well,’ he said. ‘Kai and (when) Ronaldo came back, Ronaldo’s lads and Michael Carrick’s lad were all on the same team.
‘You go and watch and then all of a sudden there’s like 10 times the amount of people that’s normally there, all around the pitch watching, so there’s a lot more pressure because they’re coming to watch the three kids to see how they play and stuff.
‘They’ve got to be ready.’
Ready? Maybe one day. Remember the names – not that they’re easy to forget.