To add backgrounds

May 6 (Reuters Arabic Sports Service) - Cristiano Ronaldo's eldest son, Cristiano Jr, was called up for the first time by Portugal's under-15 national team on Tuesday , marking the start of what could become the most exciting succession story in the world's most popular sport.

The 14-year-old striker, who plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr's youth team, will join Portugal in a tournament in Croatia this month, where he will face Japan, Greece and England in his international debut .

Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in 2022, posted the squad list on social media with the message, "Proud of you, my son."

Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner who led Portugal to victory at Euro 2016, has scored a world record 136 goals in 219 international appearances, and his father will proudly watch his eldest son follow in his footsteps.

Ronaldo Jr. has already followed in his father's footsteps, playing for the youth teams of Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United, the teams his father, the 40-year-old captain of the Portuguese national team, played for before moving to play in Saudi Arabia with his family.

Reports indicate that the young player scored 58 goals during his time in Italy, while videos have emerged of Ronaldo Jr. imitating his father's famous "Sue" celebration at Al-Nassr.

In 2022, Ronaldo stated that his son was eager to share the pitch with him one day. He revealed at the time, "My son tells me, ' Dad, wait a few more years, I want to play with you! ' "

Although Ronaldo Jr. is eligible to play for the United States, where he was born, or Spain, where he spent most of his early childhood, which would give him the right to represent three countries, Portugal's call-up could indicate that he will follow in his father's footsteps on the international stage.

For a country whose modern football identity was shaped by his father's remarkable two-decade playing career, Ronaldo Jr.'s inclusion in Portugal's Under-15 squad could be the first step in a generational succession that will grab headlines.

(Prepared by Ahmed Abdel Latif for the Arabic edition)