Furious at the federation! Ronaldo rages after his son's Portugal snub
Just when it seemed the Ronaldo story could not get any more personal, Portugal found a new layer. Reports circulating on Thursday evening claimed the captain's son had stormed out of the national setup; the reality, Portuguese media explain, is more complicated and in some ways more revealing.
Details: Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. has not left any Portugal team: the 16 year old was simply left out of the latest U17 squad selection, a decision for which the federation has given no public explanation. But Record's deputy editor Vítor Pinto revealed on CMTV that the omission hit his father hard: There is a reason that also hurt Cristiano Ronaldo, I don't think it has to do with leaving the national team, but at this moment everything adds up: he was annoyed that Cristianinho was not called up for the U17 national team. Portuguese reporting stresses there is no indication of a disciplinary measure or a permanent setback.
The young striker's record makes the omission look curious. Known in Portugal as Cristianinho, he has been part of the federation's system since May 2025, with four appearances and two goals for the U15s and nine appearances with three goals for the U16s, including a goal in the Federations Cup against Wales and a brace against Greece. In September, The National reported he was expected to step up to the U17 setup this November, which is exactly why his absence from the latest list raised eyebrows. His father's camp, meanwhile, has spent the week listing grievances: the broken agreement over playing two of four games, the federation's unfulfilled promise of respect until 2027, and now, apparently, a family wound too. It all lands while the FPF tries to organise peace talks next week and while Article 160 of its own disciplinary code hangs over Ronaldo, allowing a suspension of up to six months for an unjustified camp walkout. Whether the son's omission was a technical decision by youth coaches or a political one, nobody in Lisbon is saying.
It's worth noting that Ronaldo has long dreamed of a father-son chapter in the national team, saying he would love to play alongside Cristianinho one day. The 16 year old, for his part, keeps knocking on the door of Al Nassr's first team, scoring a brace in September and celebrating both goals with his father's Siu. If peace talks succeed, Portugal could yet have the first father-son story in its football history; if they fail, the family will remember this week for very different reasons.
Reminder: Portugal strikes! Ronaldo faces suspension and a fine
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
