Cristiano Ronaldo Jr commits to Portugal despite eligibility for three other nations

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr has chosen to represent Portugal at youth international level, despite his father’s ongoing dispute with national team manager Jorge Jesus and the teenager’s eligibility to play for up to three other countries.

The 16-year-old has already appeared for Portugal Under-15 and Under-16 sides, although he remains able to change his international allegiance.

His decision comes after a disagreement between Cristiano Ronaldo and Jesus. The manager left the Portugal captain on the bench for a UEFA Nations League match against Norway last week, according to British newspaper Sport Bible.

Ronaldo subsequently left the national team camp voluntarily. He later issued a strongly worded statement accusing Jesus of breaking promises over his playing time on several occasions.

It remains to be seen whether the pair can resolve their differences before the next international break in November.

Ronaldo Jr plays as a left winger and is right-footed. He is currently part of the Al-Nassr academy in Saudi Arabia, having previously spent time in the youth systems of Juventus and Manchester United.

At international youth level, he has scored five goals in 13 appearances for Portugal, according to records held by the Portuguese Football Federation. His first appearance came in May last year, when Portugal defeated Croatia 3-2 at the Vlatko Markovic Tournament.

The youngster could also represent Spain, having lived there for more than five years while his father played for Real Madrid. He was born in California, making him eligible to play for the United States of America.

There may also be a fourth country available to him because the identity of his mother is not publicly known. Spanish newspaper AS has reported that he has Cape Verdean ancestry through his paternal grandmother, although he does not meet any of the four eligibility criteria set by FIFA to represent the African nation.

Despite those options, Ronaldo Jr has so far followed the same international path as his father by choosing Portugal.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for the country. He led Portugal to their first major international trophy at UEFA Euro 2016, before helping them win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has previously spoken openly about his ambition for his son to become a professional footballer, despite some athletes advising their children not to follow them into the same career.