Cristiano Ronaldo reacts with a message as Portugal U17s clinch country's first World Cup title

Portugal captain and senior Cristiano Ronaldo has sent his congratulations to Portugal's U-17 team after they clinched the FIFA U-17 World Cup title. The teenage team overcame their Austrian counterparts 1-0 in the final to win the competition in Qatar.

As part of his role as a legend of the game and icon of Portuguese football, Cristiano Ronaldo was delighted by the team's success in the age-group competition. He made a post on his Instagram page hailing them as giants and congratulating them on their success.

“Giants! Congratulations World Champions!” she captioned her Instagram story (via GOAL).

Portugal Under-17s won the expanded version of the competition, which had 48 teams, in Qatar. Benfica youngster Anisio Cabral was the hero of the game for the young Portuguese, with his goal enough to crown them champions in the final. The young man, who has been knocking on the door of Jose MourinhoBenfica's senior team finished the tournament with seven goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who played for Portugal under-15s, will be watching closely as he hopes to replicate his success at the FIFA World Cup next summer with the senior side. He led them to the UEFA Nations League title this year, and will aim for World Cup glory in his final appearance in the competition.

Ronaldo's interest in agr grade teams will also have been influenced by the emergence of his eldest son, Cristiano Jrto the minor teams of Portugal. The 15-year-old has played for the under-15s and under-16s in competitions, and could be in line to make the jump to the under-17s at the next edition of the competition in 2026.

Cristiano Ronaldo will avoid a ban ahead of the 2026 World Cup

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will avoid a ban despite receiving a red card for violent conduct ahead of next summer's World Cup. The 40-year-old was sent off for an elbow on Irish defender Dara O'Shea in their World Cup qualifier earlier this month.

The FIFA disciplinary committee met to determine the fate of the Al-Nasr man, who has already served one game of his ban against Armenia. They handed down a three-match ban but suspended the last two games for a one-year trial, pending further red cards for the striker.

Cristiano Ronaldo's case was helped by the argument that he was unprecedented in his 22-year senior career with Portugal, which has seen him make 226 appearances. After FIFA's decision, he will be able to play the first match of the World Cup next summer.