More Than One Flag on the Table

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., son of Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo, recently made his international debut with Portugal’s U-15 national team. The young forward, currently playing in Al-Nassr’s youth system in Saudi Arabia, featured in the Vlatko Markovic tournament in Croatia wearing his father’s iconic No. 7 shirt.

Although his decision to play for Portugal feels like a natural step given his family legacy, it wasn’t his only choice. According to Spanish outlet AS, the younger Ronaldo was also eligible to represent the United States, thanks to FIFA regulations that allow youth players to appear for more than one national team before making a final commitment at the senior level.

Spain was also a possibility, due to the time Cristiano Jr. spent living there while his father starred for Real Madrid.

The Weight of a Historic Name

Choosing Portugal isn’t surprising, especially considering the emotional and symbolic ties with his father’s illustrious international career. Still, the fact that the U.S. was a legitimate option has sparked conversation, particularly as the American federation has ramped up efforts to secure dual-national talents in recent years. Missing out on a high-profile player like Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. is a missed opportunity for the growing program.

For now, the young Ronaldo is focused on writing his own story. Having already passed through the academies of Juventus, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, his footballing education has been elite. But the expectations that come with his surname are massive, and the world will be watching closely to see how he carves his own path.

While it appears Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. has firmly committed to Portugal, his international journey is only just beginning. Whether he follows in his father’s footsteps or takes a new direction remains to be seen—but the spotlight is already shining brightly.