- Teenage hopefuls following in famous footsteps
- Attract more attention than others of the same age
- Difficult for them to escape the added attention
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo made a stunning return to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021. His eldest son has followed the Portuguese GOAT around the world, spending time in youth systems at Real Madrid, Juventus, United and Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo Jr got the chance to work with other famous offspring when linking up with the Red Devils. Kai Rooney formed part of the same age group, as did Michael Carrick’s son Jacey. They brought more eyes to games that would usually have sailed under the radar.
Manchester United‘s all-time leading goalscorer admits as much, with Wayne seeing his first born have to cope with even more attention as attendance numbers for games featuring a collection of teenage hopefuls surged.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show podcast, the Red Devils icon said of the challenge facing those that come from a professional football family: “There’s a bit more pressure on them as well.
“Kai and [when Cristiano] 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.”
Kai Rooney is now 15 years of age and continues to make positive progress in United’s academy ranks – an unfortunate injury aside. Ronaldo Jr, meanwhile, is in Saudi Arabia alongside his father and recently made his international debut for Portugal‘s U15 side.
