Pre-season starts here: Cristiano Ronaldo’s son wears a Manchester United top as they train together

Manchester United top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have had a quick answer to his worries about whether his son will continue to train with him now that the Red Devils academy player has turned 12.

The Portugal captain marked Cristiano Jr’s birthday by asking if they would still carry out their training sessions on June 17 — a fear dispelled by their latest pictures together.

Posting on Instagram stories, Ronaldo used the most followed account in the world to share snaps of his son trading a pass with him and sitting on a ball tying up his boot laces.

Cristiano Ronaldo (right) has been passing on his footballing wisdom to 12-year-old Cristiano Jr

Manchester United tied the youngster to a professional contract shortly after signing Ronaldo

On a day when many Premier League players returned for pre-season training, the pair trained on a neat grass pitch and Ronaldo ran through slalom poles while wearing a characteristic look of exertion and focus.

Ronaldo Jr had played for Juventus’s academy before his superstar father made his shock return to Old Trafford from the Italian club at the end of the 2021 summer transfer window.

Less than six months later, the precocious forward, who was born in San Diego in 2010, followed in Ronaldo’s footsteps by signing his first professional deal when he joined United’s academy.

The Portugal captain hopes United can challenge again for pole position in the Premier League

Ronaldo’s partner, Georgina Rodriguez, joined Ronaldo Jr at his official unveiling by the club he had already turned out for in several matches after the family moved to Manchester.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has said he will not pressure his son to become a footballer, pledging to support him in whatever he chooses to do. 

The youngster kept Ronaldo company in a garden kickabout while the Portugal captain was observing self-isolation away from the Juve squad after contracting Covid in 2020.

Georgina Rodriguez (left), Ronaldo’s partner, shared a picture when Ronaldo Jr joined United

Ronaldo, who has also pictured himself with his family in a gym, posted about the session at the time and told his hundreds of millions of followers: ‘Like father, like son. Happiness above all.’

During his first spell at United between 2003 and 2009, Ronaldo formed a formidable partnership with Wayne Rooney — and the club record goalscorer’s son is also in United’s academy.

The family theme continued for Ronaldo after he shared his newest photos with Cristiano Jr, using a post to portray himself with his mother, Maria Dolores Aveiro, alongside the caption: “Blessed.”