Like father, like son – Shaqueel van Persie makes Youth League debut

Robin van Persie handed a UEFA Youth League debut to his son Shaqueel for Feyenoord on Tuesday.

Van Persie, the former Arsenal and Manchester United star, is now coaching Feyenoord’s Under-18s team and the Under-19s team.

And while taking charge of the latter side in the Youth League, Van Persie handed his son Shaqueel his debut in the competition as a 56th-minute substitute against Atletico Madrid.

Van Persie junior could not help his father’s team avoid defeat, however, with Iker Luque scoring the only goal of the game in the 81st minute.

1 – Shaqueel van Persie made his @UEFAYouthLeague debut today, 5 years and 104 days after his current manager and father Robin van Persie played his last European match for @Feyenoord. Footsteps. pic.twitter.com/ruIsaex9cm

— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) November 28, 2023

Shaqueel the real deal?

Shaqueel van Persie made his European debut five years and 104 days after his father last played in a European match for Feyenoord, where he finished his career.

The 17-year-old, who was born during Van Persie’s stint at Arsenal, began his youth career with Manchester City before moving to Feyenoord in 2017, a year before his father joined the same club.

He has already represented the Netherlands at Under-16 and Under-17 level.