Like father like son? It doesn’t always work out that great footballers raise elite talent, but Robin van Persie’s son is following in his footsteps, and he’s not the only example
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Robin van Persie ‘s son has followed in his footsteps, and has recently signed his first professional contract with Feyenoord at the age of just 15.
Shaqueel Van Persie’s deal will expire in 2025, and he has actually been offered a pro contract many years before his father recieved one. The former Arsenal and Manchester United star was one of the greatest strikers of his generation, and it looks as though we could be set for another era of Dutch brilliance with Shaqueel impressing.
It’s a father’s dream to see your son follow in your footsteps, but Van Persie isn’t the only legend to experience this as other stars have carried on the family name. Here Mirror Football takes a look at seven footballing legends who have seen their sons pick up where they left off.
Zinedine Zidane / Theo Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is one of the finest footballers to ever grace the game, and the Frenchman has even had a successful stint in management after hanging up his boots. But he’s also acted somewhat as an agent, as four of his sons are now all in the game.
His eldest, Enzo, is currently in the second tier of French football, and the second eldest is a goalkeeper at Spanish side Rayo Vallecano. But it’s his youngest that are exciting the masses. Theo Zidane is turning heads at the Real Madrid youth academy, and is even playing the same position as his father.
And there is another son, as Elyaz Zidane is already in the France U17 set up as a left sided player. There is multiple generations of the Zidane’s coming through, and if they can be anything like their father then it will be an exciting time for European football.
Jamie Carragher / James Carragher
Jamie Carragher will go down as one of the best defenders in Liverpool’s history, and his son James is already impressing in the same position at the age of 19. James is currently playing for Wigan, who just achieved promotion to the Championship.
He is yet to make his senior league debut, but has featured for the side in the Carabao Cup this season. Carragher was in Liverpool’s youth academy, but was released at the age of 15, where Wigan snapped him up.
Carragher signed his first professional contract last year, but may be loaned out for regular first team football. With Wigan achieving promotion, his chances of starting has lessened.
Mauricio Pochettino / Maurizio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino may have left Tottenham in 2019, but his family have remained in London, and his son, Maurizio is still playing in the area for Watford. His son remained at Tottenham until joining Watford on a free transfer in 2021, but has barely featured since.
Watford have suffered relegation to the Championship, meaning that the defender may get more of a look in. But it hasn’t been easy for the 21-year-old without his dad.
Pochettino followed his father from Southampton to Tottenham, but is yet to determine his future. He has been linked with a move to Spain, but the Pochettino family seem quite keen on staying in London.
Paolo Maldini / Daniel Maldini
The term ‘legend’ barely does AC Milan great Paolo Maldini much justice, and his legacy will forever live on at the club. And Milan are on the verge of winning their first Serie A title in 11 years with his son, Daniel in the squad.
Although Paolo was one of the best defenders of all-time, his son is an attacking midfielder, and even a forward in some matches, and has already scored his first Serie A goal for the club. It’s not just a proud moment for Paolo though, it’s a big moment for the whole family.
Daniel’s grandfather, Cesare, captained Milan in the 1960’s, making him the third generation of Maldini’s to represent the Italian side. Daniel even made his Champions League debut this season, coming off the bench against Liverpool.
Alf-Inge Haaland / Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland has already followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a professional footballer, and he has also gone one further and signed for Manchester City, just as his father, Alf-Inge did. Haaland’s future has finally been decided as he has agreed to join City in a mega-deal, as they triggered his abnormally low release clause.
City finally have a striker, and the Premier League are braced for further dominance, and they are a much different side to when his father played for them. Haaland has stunned the footballing world due to his goalscoring ability at RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund, and fans are already planning what records he could break in England.
However, there are reports that another release clause could come into play after three years, meaning that he may have further plans on the horizon. One thing he won’t want to take from his father though, is his injury record, and it’s already been a difficult season.
Patrick Kluivert / Justin Kluivert
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Patrick Kluivert will forever be renowned as a Dutch legend, and he is rather favourable at Barcelona too for his services to the Spanish side, and also their academy after his playing career. And his son, Justin, has even been linked with a move to the Nou Camp in recent years.
Justin currently plays for Roma, but the 23-year-old has been on loan at Nice this season. It’s the second year he’s been on loan, after spending time with RB Leipzig the year before.
Kluivert has been an important part of the Nice squad this season, and the loan deal does include an option to buy, and it could be triggered at the end of the campaign. He still has a bright future ahead, and a long time to emulate his father’s success.
Claudio Reyna / Giovanni Reyna
Claudio Reyna is a name that not many will be too familiar with, but the former midfielder is a legend for the United States. After starting off his senior career in Germany, he moved to the UK before playing for Rangers, Sunderland and City.
Reyna played for City as recently at 2007, before moving back to the US before retiring, but his son is one of the most talked about talents in European football. After being featured in The Guardian’s ‘next generation’ list in 2019, he moved to Dortmund, and has become a regular in their side since 2020.
Reyna has been given the no.7 shirt that was previously worn by Jadon Sancho, and at the age of just 19, he has a bright career ahead. Reyna also helped the US qualify for the World Cup, and will feature in Qatar later this year.
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