Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has committed his future to the national team until the 2030 World Cup, while Cristiano Ronaldo‘s eldest son has made his first appearance for Portugal’s under-17 side, marking a new chapter for the famous football family.
The two developments emerged from international football on Thursday, with Scaloni securing a long-term agreement and 16-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. making his debut in Portugal’s 4–0 victory over Andorra.
Ronaldo Jr. was introduced as a substitute in the 73rd minute of the European Championship qualifying encounter in Lisbon. Portugal had already established a commanding lead before the Al Nassr academy forward entered the contest.
Sporting CP’s Diego Farinha scored twice, while Santos FC youngster Kauã Miranda converted a penalty. Rafael Cabral of Braga completed the scoring with Portugal’s fourth goal in the 60th minute.
Although the teenager did not get on the scoresheet, he came close to adding another goal towards the end of the match. His header, however, missed the target as Portugal secured a comfortable victory.
The appearance represents another significant step in his development, especially as he begins his international career at a time when his father has just brought his own journey with Portugal to an end.
Ronaldo Jr. starts his Portugal journey after father’s international retirement
The youngster’s debut arrived only a week after Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football, ending a 23-year career with the Portuguese national team.
The Al Nassr forward finished his international career with a record 146 goals in 234 appearances, establishing himself as Portugal’s leading goalscorer and one of the most influential players in the country’s football history.
His achievements with the national team included years of participation in major international competitions and a legacy that will remain difficult for future generations to match.
Ronaldo Jr. now has an opportunity to build his own career within the Portuguese football system. While his father’s achievements will inevitably attract attention to his progress, the teenager will be expected to develop through performances rather than reputation.
His introduction against Andorra gave him his first taste of Portugal’s U17 international competition, with further opportunities expected during the ongoing qualifying campaign.
Portugal are scheduled to face Bulgaria on Saturday before meeting Serbia on November 17. Both matches will also take place in Lisbon.
The two fixtures could provide Ronaldo Jr. with additional playing opportunities as he seeks to establish himself in the youth national team.
Scaloni agrees to lead Argentina until 2030
While Ronaldo Jr. begins his international journey, Argentina have secured continuity in their technical department after Lionel Scaloni agreed to extend his contract until the 2030 World Cup.
The coach’s previous agreement was due to expire at the end of 2026. The new deal will keep him in charge from 2027 to 2030, extending a managerial relationship that began in 2018.
Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia announced the agreement on Thursday, confirming that Scaloni and his coaching staff would remain responsible for the national team.
“We are officially announcing the renewal of ‘Gringo’ Lionel Scaloni and his coaching staff for the 2027-2030 period at the helm of the Argentina national team,” Tapia said.
He described the agreement as a significant moment for the association and Argentine supporters, highlighting the possibility of Scaloni becoming the first coach to lead the country into three World Cups.
“It is an important announcement. Between the initial eight years and this additional four-year extension, he will become the coach with the most World Cups managed for this association. He will have the responsibility of leading the team through three of them,” Tapia added.
Scaloni’s continued presence provides Argentina with an opportunity to maintain the football structure that has delivered major international success in recent years.
World Cup defeat had raised questions over Scaloni’s future
The contract extension comes after a period of uncertainty surrounding the coach’s future.
Following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in this summer’s World Cup final, Scaloni suggested that he needed time to evaluate his eight-year spell in charge before deciding whether to continue.
The 48-year-old eventually agreed to remain, despite dealing with personal difficulties following the death of his mother last month at the age of 74.
After the renewal was announced, Scaloni thanked Tapia and the Argentina Football Association for their efforts in reaching an agreement.
“I want to thank the president and the people at the AFA for their efforts in making this happen,” he said.
He acknowledged that the timing was emotionally difficult but expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
“I am happy. Even though things are difficult for me personally right now, this brings me a sense of fulfilment,” Scaloni stated.
“This is what we all wanted. We’re in the same place we were on day one, with the same excitement and the same drive as always. Otherwise, it would be impossible to be here.”
Before becoming Argentina’s head coach, Scaloni had no previous experience managing a senior team. His earlier involvement with the national side came as an assistant to Jorge Sampaoli during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
His playing career included spells with Deportivo La Coruña, Lazio and West Ham United, but his greatest achievements have come since taking charge of Argentina.
Argentina prepare for a new era without Messi
Scaloni’s achievements have established him as one of the most successful managers in Argentina‘s history.
In 107 matches, he has recorded 79 victories, 18 draws and only 10 defeats. His teams have scored 231 goals and conceded 57 during that period.
He also oversaw Argentina’s remarkable 36-match unbeaten run between July 2019 and November 2022, which laid the foundation for the country’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
His trophy collection also includes two Copa América titles and a Finalissima victory, achievements that have strengthened his position within Argentine football.
However, the next stage of his tenure will involve rebuilding the national team following the international retirement of Lionel Messi and the departure of other established figures from their previous roles.
Scaloni has already indicated that younger players will be given opportunities to become more prominent in the national team.
“An important phase in our process begins now; we will give opportunities to the youngsters who are pushing through the ranks,” he said.
The coach, however, warned that the emerging generation would need patience and support before they could reproduce the influence of experienced players such as Messi, Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi.
“We need patience – they have enormous potential, but perhaps they aren’t yet ready to deliver what the likes of Messi, Ángel Di María, and Nicolás Otamendi provided,” he explained.
Midfielders Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono and Valentín Barco are among the promising players expected to take on greater responsibilities. Forwards Matías Soulè and Gianluca Prestianni are also part of the emerging group.
Scaloni has called for supporters to give the young footballers time to develop as Argentina work towards maintaining their position among international football’s leading nations.
He also confirmed that Messi’s famous No. 10 shirt would remain unused during the upcoming friendly matches against Uruguay on Friday and Costa Rica next Tuesday.
Argentina are among the countries preparing to host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Scaloni’s renewed commitment means he will have the opportunity to guide the team through another major international cycle.
As Ronaldo Jr. begins his own journey with Portugal’s youth team, Argentina’s long-term plans will now continue under the leadership of a coach whose achievements have already secured him a prominent place in the country’s football history.
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