Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. Receives First Portugal Under-17 Call-Up

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Júnior has received his first call-up to Portugal’s Under-17 national team. The 16-year-old will join the squad for the opening round of UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers, which begin on November 11, 2026, in Oeiras.

Portugal faces Andorra on November 11, Bulgaria on November 14, and Serbia on November 17. All three matches will be played at the Cidade do Futebol complex. Manager Filipe Ramos included Ronaldo Jr. among the players selected for the group. Portugal must finish in the top two of the group to advance.

Ronaldo Jr. has previously represented Portugal at Under-15 and Under-16 level. He scored two goals in four appearances for the Under-15 side and three goals in nine matches for the Under-16s, for a total of five goals in 13 games across those age groups. He plays for the youth teams of Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, the same club as his father.

The call-up marks his first selection at Under-17 level. Portugal has qualified for the European Under-17 Championship six times and won the title in 2003, 2016, and 2025. The current squad will compete in Group 6 alongside Andorra, Bulgaria, and Serbia.

Ronaldo Jr., often referred to as Cristianinho, has drawn attention because of his father’s career. His selection follows a period of consistent scoring at the younger age groups. The Under-17 qualifiers represent the next step in the national team pathway for players born in 2009 and 2010.

The Portuguese Football Federation released the squad list ahead of the November window. Training sessions will take place at the federation’s facilities in Oeiras before the first match against Andorra. Match times are scheduled for 15:00 GMT on each of the three dates.

No further details on Ronaldo Jr.’s expected role or starting status have been announced. His previous goal tallies at Under-15 and Under-16 level place him among the more productive attackers in those squads. The Under-17 campaign will provide a larger stage and more competitive opposition.

Portugal’s Under-17 program has produced several senior internationals in recent cycles. The presence of a high-profile name in the current squad has increased media interest in the November fixtures, though the team’s primary objective remains qualification for the final tournament.

Results from the three matches will determine whether Portugal advances. Ronaldo Jr.’s contribution, if any, will be recorded in the official match reports once the games are played.