Manchester United have snapped up 11-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, signing the son of the Portugal striker to his first official contract.
Cristiano Jr was part of the Juventus academy but moved to England when the elder Ronaldo sealed an emotional return to United last summer, and he has been training with the Red Devils' youth setup ever since.
Just over six months later, United have seen enough to convince them that Cristiano Jr should be kept around on a long-term basis and Ronaldo's partner, Georgina Rodriguez, confirmed on Instagram that the 11-year-old has agreed a deal.
“Pursuing our dreams together. Mom loves you," she wrote.Cristiano Jr has been handed the famous number 7 shirt at Old Trafford. His father currently wears the number at senior level, while legendary names like George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham have all shone in the famous 7 shirt.
Ronaldo has always stressed that he will never force Cristiano Jr to become a footballer, but insists that he will do whatever he can to help him turn pro if that is what he wants.
"We’ll see if my son will become a great footballer,” Ronaldo said in 2020. "He has potential. He is fast and dribbles well, but that is not enough. I always tell him that it takes work and dedication to have success.
“I won’t pressure him to become a footballer, but if you ask me if I want him to, yes I would like it. The most important thing is to become the best at whatever he does, whether it is as a footballer or a doctor.”
Source : 90min