Cristiano Ronaldo could play alongside his son at Al-Nassr next season as reports suggest a senior team step-up after his 16th birthday/ Image: X
Cristiano Ronaldo could be on course to share the pitch with his son at professional level, with Al-Nassr considering a gradual pathway to the first team for Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. next season. The development, still at an early stage, centres on plans to integrate Ronaldo Jr. into senior training once he turns 16 in June 2026, opening the possibility of a rare father-son partnership in top-level football.
What is being planned at Al-Nassr
The proposal is not an immediate promotion but a structured progression. According to reports cited by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano and Saudi outlet Al Wiam, Al-Nassr are “considering to bring Cristiano Ronaldo Jr with the first team in training from next season. He’s turning 16 in June and Al Nassr are closely monitoring his development + best options for his pathway.” The idea is to include him first in training sessions with the senior squad during the 2026/27 season, before assessing whether he is ready for official inclusion in matchday squads. At present, Ronaldo Jr. is part of the club’s youth system and is viewed internally as a player to be developed step by step rather than rushed.
Eligibility and timing
The timeline is central to the possibility, especially as clubs would need to carefully align development, eligibility rules and career progression. Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., born on June 17, 2010, will turn 16 this summer, which is the standard minimum age to sign a professional contract and play senior football. That aligns directly with his father’s current deal at Al-Nassr, which runs until June 2027, creating a window where both could legally play together for the same team during the upcoming season.
Christiano Ronaldo and Son Christian Dos Santos/ X Al Nassr Zone
With Ronaldo Sr. continuing to perform at 41 and already on 969 career goals, the overlap has added weight to the idea of a shared appearance.
Ronaldo Jr.’s current level and development
Within the academy, Ronaldo Jr. has built his case through performance rather than profile, showing steady development away from his father’s spotlight. In April 2026, he scored a hat-trick for the Al-Nassr U-16 side in a 4–3 win over Al Fayha, underlining his attacking output. Physically, he has also developed significantly, now standing at around 1.87 metres (6’1”), which gives him a presence comparable to senior players. At international level, he recently won the Algarve International Tournament with Portugal U-16, marking his third youth title and surpassing his father’s tally at the same age. The club’s coaching staff and hierarchy are tracking that progress closely as they assess how quickly he can transition to senior football.
Context: rare father-son pairings in professional sport
A father and son playing together at professional level remains uncommon, particularly in football.Examples do exist, including Rivaldo appearing alongside his son Rivaldinho at Mogi Mirim in Brazil, where both even scored in the same 2015 match during Rivaldo’s late-career return, and Eidur Gudjohnsen sharing the pitch with his father Arnór Guðjohnsen for Iceland in 1996, when the 17-year-old made his debut as a substitute for his 34-year-old father in a 3-0 win over Estonia. More recently, the idea gained global attention in basketball when LeBron James and his son Bronny became the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers in October 2024. The potential pairing at Al-Nassr would place football in a similar position, but with the added factor of Ronaldo’s longevity at the highest level.
What it would mean for Ronaldo’s career
For Cristiano Ronaldo, the scenario carries both sporting and symbolic weight, with the 41-year-old still central to Al-Nassr’s plans while also expected to represent Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, likely his final appearance on football’s biggest stage after a career spanning over two decades. Still active deep into his fourth decade and approaching the 1,000-goal milestone, the idea of sharing a competitive match with his son would mark a rare moment in professional sport, linking the final phase of his career with the beginning of another. For now, the plan remains under consideration, with the club focused on development and timing. The possibility exists, but the next steps depend on Ronaldo Jr.’s progression and how Al-Nassr choose to introduce him into the senior environment. Go to Source
