Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. has taken another step towards following his father’s international football journey after making his debut for Portugal’s under-17 team, just one week after Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football.
The 16-year-old forward featured in Portugal’s convincing 4–0 victory over Andorra in a European Championship qualifying match played in Lisbon on Thursday.
The Al Nassr academy player entered the game in the 73rd minute, with Portugal already enjoying a comfortable advantage after an impressive attacking performance.
Sporting CP youngster Diego Farinha scored twice, while Kauã Miranda of Santos FC converted a penalty. Braga’s Rafael Cabral added another goal in the 60th minute to complete the scoring before Ronaldo Jr. came onto the pitch.
Although he did not find the net, the teenager came close to registering a goal late in the encounter. His header, however, went narrowly wide as Portugal completed the emphatic victory.
His appearance marks an important milestone in his development, particularly given the international legacy established by his father, who spent more than two decades representing Portugal at senior level.
Ronaldo Jr. begins international journey after father’s retirement
The youngster’s first appearance for Portugal’s U17 side came only seven days after his father announced that he would no longer represent the national team.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career lasted 23 years and produced a remarkable record of 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal.
The Al Nassr captain became one of the most recognisable figures in international football, leading his country through several major tournaments and helping Portugal achieve significant success.
His retirement brought an end to a remarkable chapter, but his eldest son is now beginning to establish his own identity within the country’s youth football structure.
Ronaldo Jr. has previously been involved in youth football at several clubs associated with his father’s career, including academy environments in which he continued developing his skills.
His progress has attracted attention because of his famous surname, although his appearance against Andorra represents an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities at international youth level.
Portugal will continue its qualifying campaign with matches against Bulgaria on Saturday and Serbia on November 17. Both fixtures are scheduled to take place in Lisbon.
The teenager will be hoping to earn further opportunities as Portugal pursue progress in the European Championship qualifying competition.
Scaloni commits future to Argentina until 2030 World Cup
Meanwhile, Argentina have secured the future of head coach Lionel Scaloni after reaching an agreement that will keep him in charge of the national team until the 2030 World Cup.
Scaloni’s previous contract was due to expire at the end of 2026, but the new agreement extends his tenure for another four years, covering the 2027–2030 period.
The Argentina Football Association president, Claudio Tapia, announced the agreement on Thursday, describing the renewal as a positive development for the country’s football administration and supporters.
“We are officially announcing the renewal of ‘Gringo’ Lionel Scaloni and his coaching staff for the 2027-2030 period at the helm of the Argentina national team,” Tapia said.
“This is a joyful moment for everyone on the AFA Executive Committee, as well as for all Argentines.
“It is an important announcement. Between the initial eight years and this additional four-year extension, he will become the coach with the most World Cups managed for this association. He will have the responsibility of leading the team through three of them.”
The extension means Scaloni is set to become the first manager to lead Argentina into three World Cup tournaments.
He took charge of the senior national team in 2018 and transformed its fortunes, guiding the country to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar.
His achievements also include two Copa América championships and a Finalissima triumph, establishing him as one of the most successful managers in Argentina’s football history.
Scaloni had questioned his future after World Cup disappointment
Despite agreeing to continue, the 48-year-old had previously raised doubts about his future following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final earlier this year.
After the disappointment, Scaloni indicated that he needed time to assess his eight-year period in charge before making a decision about his next move.
His eventual agreement to remain in the position represents a significant commitment from both the coach and the Argentine football authorities.
Scaloni’s appointment as head coach was his first experience managing a senior team. Before taking the job, he worked as an assistant to Jorge Sampaoli during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
His playing career included spells with Deportivo La Coruña, Lazio and West Ham United, but his greatest achievements in football have come from the touchline.
Reacting to the contract extension, Scaloni expressed gratitude to Tapia and the Argentina Football Association for their efforts in securing the agreement.
“I want to thank the president and the people at the AFA for their efforts in making this happen,” he said.
He also acknowledged that the agreement came during a difficult period in his personal life following the death of his mother, who passed away last month at the age of 74.
“I am happy. Even though things are difficult for me personally right now, this brings me a sense of fulfilment,” Scaloni added.
“This is what we all wanted. We’re in the same place we were on day one, with the same excitement and the same drive as always. Otherwise, it would be impossible to be here.”
Argentina coach prepares next generation without Messi
Scaloni’s record since taking charge of Argentina has been outstanding. Across 107 matches, he has recorded 79 victories, 18 draws and only 10 defeats.
His teams have scored 231 goals while conceding just 57, underlining the consistency and effectiveness of the national side during his leadership.
He also guided Argentina through a historic 36-match unbeaten run between July 2019 and November 2022, a period that helped establish the foundation for their World Cup triumph.
However, the next phase of his tenure will involve a major transition as Argentina prepare to move forward without Lionel Messi.
The legendary forward retired from international football this year after the World Cup, bringing an end to another defining chapter in the country’s football history.
Scaloni has indicated that younger players will receive more opportunities as the team prepares for the future.
“An important phase in our process begins now; we will give opportunities to the youngsters who are pushing through the ranks,” he stated.
He also warned that the emerging players would need time to develop before they could match the contributions of established stars such as Messi, Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi.
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“We need patience – they have enormous potential, but perhaps they aren’t yet ready to deliver what the likes of Messi, Ángel Di María, and Nicolás Otamendi provided,” he said.
Among the young players expected to become increasingly important are midfielders Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono and Valentín Barco, alongside forwards Matías Soulè and Gianluca Prestianni.
Scaloni has urged supporters to show understanding as the next generation gradually assumes greater responsibility.
He also confirmed that Argentina will not assign Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt to another player for the upcoming friendly matches against Uruguay on Friday and Costa Rica next Tuesday.
Argentina will enter the next phase of Scaloni’s leadership with the challenge of maintaining their competitive standards while developing a new generation capable of carrying the country’s football ambitions towards 2030.
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