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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Dan Marsh

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr training two years above his age at elite sporting talent academy

Cristiano Ronaldo's son, Cristiano Jnr, has already made a big impression in Saudi Arabia and is reportedly training with players who are two years older than him.

Ronaldo senior, 37, penned a lucrative two-and-a-half year deal with Al-Nassr on New Year's Eve but had been prevented from making his official debut in the Middle East due to a ban he received during his final months at Manchester United.

After weeks of waiting, Al-Nassr's new superstar finally made his Saudi Pro League bow on Sunday in Al-Nassr's 1-0 win over Ettifaq - but the Portuguese forward's eldest son has been hard at work since joining his father out in Saudia Arabia.

Cristiano Jnr had been playing in the Manchester United academy while his father was at the club, however, the 12-year-old is now training in Saudi Arabia, according to a new report from The Sun.

The report outlines that Cristiano Jnr is training at the Mahd Academy, which is the national sports centre in Saudi Arabia. The youngster, who could have reportedly returned to Real Madrid to link up with their academy, is said to be training in the age group two years above him already.

But while Cristiano Jnr has caught the eye in Saudi Arabia, it was his father who took centre stage on Sunday night as he finally made his official Al-Nassr bow.

Just days after he scored twice in an enthralling exhibition match against Paris Saint-Germain, Ronaldo lined up alongside his new team-mates in the Saudi Pro League for the first time in the 1-0 win over Ettifaq.

Join the debate! What do you make of Ronaldo's decision to move to Saudi Arabia? Let us know here.

Ronaldo failed to get on the scoresheet but he was handed the captain's armband and played the entire game for the league leaders, who grabbed a vital win courtesy of a strike from Brazilian midfielder Anderson Talisca.

Sunday's win was Ronaldo's first taste of the Saudi Pro League after he penned a deal worth an estimated £173million-a-year: a figure that makes him the highest paid footballer in history.

Al-Nassr, who have seen their social media following skyrocket since snapping up Ronaldo last month, are currently one point above Al Hilal, the reigning Saudi champions, in the current domestic standings.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who claimed he turned his back on European football as he had accomplished everything he set out to achieve, will be eager to overthrow Al Hilal this term to add another domestic title to his glittering resume.

Ronaldo and Al-Nassr return to action later this week when they face Al-Ittihad in the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup on Thursday night.

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