Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has predicted that his eldest son, Cristiano Jr., could surpass him in football, saying the teenager is already physically ahead of where he was at the same age.
The 41-year-old made the comments in a video shared by Netflix Sports while watching his 16-year-old son train with the Al Nassr youth team.
According to Ranaldo, Cristiano Jr. has developed physically beyond where he was at the same age and believe his son could eventually grow bigger and stronger than him.
“He’s a good kid. The other ones are tougher, the ones at home, the small ones. This one is no problem,” Ronaldo said.
“When I was his age, he is a little bit bigger and stronger. I was smaller. I think he will be bigger than me.”
However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner acknowledged that physical development and talent alone would not guarantee his son success at the highest level.
Ronaldo was also asked whether Cristiano Jr. would develop the same hunger and mentality that helped him become one of the greatest footballers of all time.
The Portugal captain identified hunger as one of the most difficult qualities to develop.
“Hunger is the most difficult,” he said.
Cristiano Jr., born on June 17, 2010, currently plays for the Al Nassr youth team as he continues to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Ronaldo has enjoyed a decorated career, winning five Ballon d’Or awards and five UEFA Champions League titles, as well as the European Championship with Portugal in 2016.
The veteran forward has also won league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia and remains the leading goalscorer in men’s international football.
