Cristiano Ronaldo says hunger, not size or talent, will decide if his son can be as good as him
Cristiano Ronaldo has discussed what his son, Cristiano Jr., needs to reach the level he achieved in football.
Ronaldo said his son may grow bigger and stronger than he was at the same age.
He identified hunger as the hardest quality to develop, suggesting physical ability alone will not be enough.
Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up about his son, Cristiano Jr., while watching him train with Al Nassr's youth team, reflecting on the qualities that will determine whether the teenager can follow in his footsteps.
Speaking during the session, Ronaldo compared his son's physical development to his own at the same age. "He is a little bit bigger and stronger, I was smaller. I think he will be bigger than me," he said, referring specifically to his son's build rather than his football achievements.
He also touched on his son's temperament, describing him as easygoing compared to his other children. "He's a good kid. The other ones I have are more tougher, the ones I have at home, the small ones. This one is no problem," he said.
When the interviewer beside him raised the question of whether the young player has the drive to match his father's career, Ronaldo's response focused on one specific quality above all else. "The hunger is the most difficult," he said, suggesting that unlike physical size or raw talent, hunger is something that cannot simply be inherited or guaranteed.
“The hunger is the most difficult.”
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Cristiano Ronaldo watching his son Cristiano Jr. train with the Al Nassr youth team 😮
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Cristiano Jr. has continued developing within Al Nassr's youth setup since his father signed with the Saudi Arabian club, growing up largely within elite football environments most young players never experience. Ronaldo has previously spoken about wanting his children to pursue their own paths rather than feeling pressured to replicate his career, even as his son continues to draw attention for training at the same club as one of the sport's greatest players.
For now, Ronaldo's comments suggest that while his son may have inherited certain physical traits, the mentality required to succeed at the highest level remains something that has to be built rather than given.