Cristiano Ronaldo has amassed an impressive array of trophies and accolades throughout his career. However, he might be on the verge of achieving something truly special: playing first-team football alongside his son, Cristiano Jr.
According to Saudi media outlet Al Weeam, Al Nassr, currently leading the Saudi Pro League, is contemplating promoting Cristiano Jr. to the first team when he turns 16 next season. Initially, he might join the training squad, with the potential to later integrate into the full team.
While there’s no official confirmation yet, the idea of Ronaldo and his son playing together in the same team, though unusual, is not without precedent—many father-son duos have shared the field across football history.
Eidur and Arnor Gudjohnsen
One of the most notable examples is former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, who etched his name into soccer trivia by making his international debut for Iceland in 1996 as a substitute for his father, Arnor.
Together, Arnor and Eidur are the only father-son duo to have played for the same senior national team in a match, with the 17-year-old Eidur coming on for his 34-year-old father during a 3-0 win over Estonia.
Rivaldinho and Rivaldo
In late 2013, the Brazilian legend Rivaldo made a return to Mogi Mirim, the club where he began his career in the early 1990s, on a short-term deal as he approached retirement.
During this second stint in his 40s, he played alongside his son, Rivaldinho. Rivaldo, a 1999 Ballon d’Or winner, retired in 2014 but made a sensational return in 2015, and together with his son, they both scored in a match where Mogi Mirim triumphed 3-1 over Macae.
Jordan and Henrik Larsson
Former Celtic, Barcelona, and Manchester United striker Henrik Larsson returned to his childhood club, Hogaborg, in 2013 at age 41. He joined forces with his 15-year-old son, Jordan, who had recently made his debut with the first team.
Larsson made just one appearance for the club, and it so happened to be the game where he played alongside his son against Tenhults IF. After his retirement, Henrik transitioned into management and returned to Helsingborg in 2015, where Jordan was now an established first-team player.
Alexei Eremenko Jr. and Alexei Eremenko Sr.
In a rare occurrence, there exists a father-son duo that has won titles together on the same team. Russia’s Alexei Eremenko Sr. had a four-year spell at HJK Helsinki, where he played alongside his son, Alexei Jr. The pair celebrated back-to-back Veikkausliiga championships in 2002 and 2003, along with a Finnish Cup win in 2003.
Notably, even sports’ most famous father-son pair, NBA legend LeBron James and his son Bronny, have yet to achieve the feat of winning a trophy together.