Imagine going back to 2016, when Cristiano Ronaldo dazzled at Real Madrid and Wayne Rooney made headlines at Manchester United. Both were celebrated icons in global football.
Now leap ahead to 2026, where the spotlight might once again shine on these legendary clubs through the next generation: Ronaldo Jr. at Madrid and Rooney Jr. at United.
On Wednesday evening, it emerged that Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son, also named Cristiano, participated in a training session with Real Madrid’s Under-16 team on Tuesday, hinting at a possible future with the club.
Being the offspring of one of football’s all-time greats comes with immense expectations. Nevertheless, Ronaldo Jr. approaches the game with joy and a knack for scoring goals, which certainly boosts his confidence.
Following in his father’s footsteps seems to be Ronaldo Jr.’s trademark. He started in Juventus’ academy, transitioned to Manchester United, and is currently in Saudi Arabia. A future move to Madrid, where his father achieved legendary status, seems increasingly likely.
Wayne Rooney’s son, Kai (second right), is enjoying success in Manchester United’s academy
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr (left), meanwhile plays for Al-Nassr’s youth setup, while his father (centre) plays for the first team
Meanwhile, Kai Rooney’s journey has been intrinsically linked to Manchester United. With the Rooney legacy, there’s little need for introductions—even Everton doesn’t factor into his story.
The 16-year-old forward, who finishes school in the summer, has been in United’s academy since 2020 and the club have been impressed by his progress.
It is likely a scholarship will be offered to the youngster in the summer or on the eve of the new season, with a £50,000 a year deal in the pipeline, according to The Sun.
The Rooneys – Kai’s parents Wayne and Colleen – are regulars at their son’s games. Earlier this year, Kai played in his first match at Old Trafford in an FA Youth Cup tie, and the couple were there, flanked by the likes of first team manager Michael Carrick, whose son, Jacey, is also a highly-rated youngster at United.
And back in July, Carrick and Rooney flew to Northern Ireland to see Kai and Jacey competing in the Budget Energy Super Cup NI at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
‘I’m trying to make a name for myself, not try and be my dad because I’m my own person,’ Kai said back in August 2024. ‘I want to see how my career goes, obviously try to do the best I can and try to reach the biggest stages.
‘I’m just focusing on me and to try to not let any pressure get to me and just keep working on me day by day, month by month.’
The Rooney name is a blessing and a curse. ‘Kai told Wayne to stop coming to football games when he played grassroots tournaments and stuff, because he used to get swarmed, and he couldn’t even watch the game,’ Coleen explained during her time in the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle in 2024. ‘How do you say to all of these kids, “Go away, I’m watching my son?”
Kai has said he wants to ‘try and make a name for himself’ despite his dad’s success
Though currently injured, Kai has earned a call-up to United’s Under-18 side at the age of 16
Coleen and Wayne Rooney try to keep a low profile in the stands when watching heir son play
‘Adults, it’s different, you could speak to them, so he (Kai) just said, “Oh, dad, there’s no point you coming because you don’t even watch me play anyway.” Which is sad, but it can’t be helped.’
This week, Coleen and Wayne watched on as their son Kai was awarded the U16 Premier League Shield with Manchester United on Tuesday. They are proud parents, and their son has a real shot at glory, having recently been involved with the U18 side at Old Trafford.
And the same goes for Ronaldo Jr. Growing up, he was a team-mate of Kai’s, just as their dads once were. In one game in March 2022, they were both on the scoresheet for United’s U12 team.
They seemed to be doing well together as they made their ways through the age groups, but Ronaldo Jr was essentially taken out of the United team when his father quit the Red Devils in late 2022.
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo Sr launched a verbal attack on United and then-manager Erik ten Hag that resulted in his exit and a sour ending to his second stint with the club. He moved to Saudi, and Ronaldo Jr followed.
There is a debate to be had over whether leaving the academy of one of the most famous clubs in the world for Saudi Arabia is best for business. But, when Ronaldo Sr makes a call, little can be done.
In Saudi, Ronaldo Jr has enjoyed success, sharing footage of his free kicks in training – without his dad’s signature pose – and now it’s just a waiting game to see what club he is playing for when he does make his senior debut.
At the same time, he has been a regular with Portugal’s youth team. Although he was born in the United States, Ronaldo Jr has chosen to represent the country of his father – earning his first call-up in their youth setup last May.
Ronaldo Jr, who represents Portugal’s youth team, trained with Real Madrid’s academy on Tuesday ahead of a future move
Ronaldo Sr is Real’s all-time record goalscorer and arguably their greatest-ever player, with his son so far playing for four of his clubs
He made his debut against Japan in the Vlatko Markovic International Tournament and has since represented his country at U17 level. It may not be too long until he has at least some involvement with the senior team.
Much has been made of Kai’s success on the field, too. When playing alongside Ronaldo for United’s U12 side in the 2021-22 season, he scored 56 goals and assisted 28 more.
Earlier this year, he scored four goals in one game for the U16s, and now he is doing his best to grab his U18s opportunity with both hands.
Unfortunately for him, Kai has revealed that he is out for the rest of the season in a heartbreaking post on Instagram, but hopes to be back for pre-season.
So it’s over to you, Ronaldo Jr. Will it be Al-Nassr, or will it be the leap to Real Madrid? Whichever he choses, his career will be followed closely because of his name.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show in 2025, Rooney Sr spoke of his son’s time with Ronaldo Jr in the United youth team, and how there is constant scrutiny of younger players who have famous dads.
‘There’s a bit more pressure on them as well,’ he said. ‘Kai and (when) Ronaldo came back, Ronaldo’s lads and Michael Carrick’s lad were all on the same team.
‘You go and watch and then all of a sudden there’s like 10 times the amount of people that’s normally there, all around the pitch watching, so there’s a lot more pressure because they’re coming to watch the three kids to see how they play and stuff.
‘They’ve got to be ready.’
Ready? Maybe one day. Remember the names – not that they’re easy to forget.
