For around two decades now, Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the biggest figures in football. Now in his 40s, it may soon be time to finally pass on the baton to the next generation.
The Portuguese star may find the process a little easier, though, if he’s handing over responsibility to his own family. Indeed, 15-year-old son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. is steadily beginning to make his own mark in the sport and has even been playing for Portugal at youth level in recent times.
Having represented his nation at U15 level, scoring two goals in four games, he caught the eye against England last May – albeit earning mixed reviews. However, evidently, he’s done well enough to earn a move up into a older age group and is now playing for Portugal U16s.
Known affectionately as ‘Cristianinho’ in Portugal, the young winger is representing his country at the Football Federations Cup in Turkey. After making his debut in a 2-0 win over the hosts, he was then handed a start against Wales U21 – and his efforts have got people talking.
The youngster repaid the faith from his couch by scoring the opener in a 3-0 win. Cristiano Ronaldo Jr’s strike came in the 42nd minute, as he was put through on goal and kept his cool to stroke the ball home without even needing to take a touch.
His calmness in front of goal was certainly reminiscent of his father and fans were keen to make that point after seeing his highlights emerge. One wrote:
“Amazing goal by Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. for Portugal U16! Looks like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree—future star in the making!”
Another added: “No pressure, just carrying one of the biggest names in football history. If he keeps working hard, the story writes itself. Interesting detail. Portugal’s U17 World Cup squad next week includes only players from domestic clubs.” While someone else wrote: “Good Goal.”
A fourth fan chimed in with: “Lil bro making huge moves.” Another joked: “No DNA test needed. Tap in merchant.” One more added:
“CRISTIANO JR. WHAT A FINISH!!! Cristiano Ronaldo is building a monster no one is ready for.”
While a final supporter boldly stated, “He’s definitely gonna do more than his father.”
It’s early days yet, but it does seem as though Ronaldo Jr is impressing with the U16s. He only came on late during the tournament opener against Turkey, but Portuguese media seemed impressed with his efforts.
According to Portuguese outlets, via Hindustan Times, his presence on the pitch was calm, confident, and poised, with his composure particularly impressing the coaching staff.
Portugal’s U16 squad have now played two of just three games in Turkey as part of the Federations Cup Tournament. Having beaten Turkey and Wales, they will now end the tournament on Monday against England.
Former FIFA referee Mark Halsey has made an interesting comparison between Lionel Messi‘s foul against Algeria and Folarin Balogun’s red-card offence in the United States win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun opened the scoring in the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia in the Round of 32 at the World Cup on Wednesday night. The former Arsenal striker then received his marching orders for a foul on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic.
The pair battled for the ball, and Balogun’s studs made contact with Muharemovic’s calf. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus initially missed the incident before VAR intervened and sent him to the pitchside monitor, and he subsequently brandished a red card.
There has been widespread debate over Balogun’s sending off and USA boss Mauricio Pochettino hit out at the decision after the game. He said, It’s ‘never a red card’ because there was ‘never any intention to step on the player.”
Pochettino also weighed in on the comparisons between Balogun’s sending off and Messi’s foul in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria, which didn’t lead to a red card: “For me, neither are red cards.”
Messi didn’t even receive a yellow card for a foul on Algerian defender Aissa Mandi in Argentina’s group stage win. The 2022 World Cup winner scored a hat-trick in that game, but some argue he deserved the same punishment as Balogun, given the similarities between the two incidents.
Halsey defended the decision to send Balogun off because the replays show his studs make contact, even if accidentally. He did, however, opine that Messi’s challenge on Mandi was “far worse” while speaking to The Sun Football on X:
“If we go back to Argentina vs Algeria, a challenge by Messi. That challenge by Messi on Mandi, he had no chance of playing the ball; it’s a poor challenge. He rakes his studs down the back of the Algerian player’s calf.”
He added: “For me, that was far worse than the one we saw with Balogun, which VAR should have recommended a review because it was a clear and obvious error by the match official.”
Balogun will now miss the USA’s Round of 16 clash with Belgium on Tuesday (July 7th) through suspension. He may even have his ban extended if FIFA’s disciplinary panel believe the challenge on Muharemovic warrants more than the one-match ban.
Fans were quick to recall Messi’s challenge in the aftermath of Balogun’s red card, and some feel the Argentina captain had been handed preferential treatment. A side-by-side replay of both incidents shows significant similarities, raising questions about FIFA officiating and inconsistencies.
Some viewers agree with Halsey and feel Messi’s challenge looked even worse than that of the American frontman, who had been enjoying a superb campaign. One fan wrote on X: “Messi went unpunished for his. He didn’t even get a yellow card. Balogun did even less than Messi and still got a red card.”
British broadcaster Piers Morgan made his feelings known on social media, posting images of the two fouls. He captioned it: “Same tackle. One (Balogun) gets a red card. The other gets no punishment at all. Must be nice being Lionel Messi.”
Some fans have gone as far as to suggest “corruption” and “favouritism” shown towards Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will be in action for the reigning world champions when they face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on Friday night.
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Daniel Farke and his Leeds United team will be hoping to kick on even further during the 2026/27 season after a strong first season back in the Premier League.
Tipped to be relegated and return to the Championship at the first time of asking, Leeds comfortably finished the season in 14th, eight points above West Ham in the final relegation place.
The West Yorkshire club also featured in an FA Cup semi-final which they narrowly lost against Chelsea.
Leeds fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that more is to come from the team over the course of the next 12 months and key to that will be adding new players to the squad.
Leeds are yet to confirm any new signings so far this summer but all will be hoping it isn’t too long before new arrivals sign on the dotted line at Elland Road.
Leeds are keen to strengthen their midfield for the new season with a move for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles.
The Northern Ireland international played a pivotal role for Saints last campaign as he helped them reach the Championship play-offs and also the semi-final of the FA Cup.
After failing to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, Charles looks on course to depart Southampton ahead of the new season and Leeds are hopeful of luring him to Elland Road.
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According to the Daily Mail, the West Yorkshire club have submitted an improved offer of £23million plus add-ons for the 22-year-old.
Charles, who came through Manchester City’s academy, is valued at £30m by Southampton and City are believed to have a 15 per cent sell-on clause on their former player.
The ex-Sheffield Wednesday loanee came in for plenty of praise last season following his performances in the middle of the pitch for Southampton.
Set to turn 23 at the beginning of November, the Manchester-born player is currently going through a key phase where he is maturing from a talented youngster into a senior player.
Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill has labelled him as a ‘massive player’ who ‘blows’ his opponents away.
Meanwhile, Saints boss Tonda Eckert noted that when speaking about his player back in April following another starring role on the pitch.
“He’s growing at the moment. You have that transition as a player, especially at this stage of a career, where you’re not a talent anymore,” he said, as reported by the Southern Daily Echo.
“You are only judged on performance. That’s a transition moment that Taylor [Harwood-Bellis] has done, where players come from big academies.
“They are big prospects and have already done something in their career, but the point where you are being considered a talent at one point is over.
“Then you need to perform, and I think he’s in the middle of that process of maturing a lot. I think he had a very good game against Blackburn.”
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