Like Father, Like Son: Shaqueel van Persie Makes Historic Feyenoord Debut Under Father’s Leadership

European football witnessed a landmark moment this week as Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie handed his son, Shaqueel van Persie, his senior debut during a UEFA Europa League encounter against Celtic. The occasion marked one of the rare moments in modern football where a father directly substitutes his son in a major European competition.

Shaqueel, aged 19 and a product of Feyenoord’s academy after earlier spells at Manchester City, entered the match in the 81st minute with the team trailing 2–1. Despite the pressure of the moment, it became an unforgettable scene for fans watching a generational baton being passed at De Kuip.

Van Persie Defends the Decision as Tactical
The substitution sparked debate across Dutch and European football circles due to the importance of the match. However, Robin van Persie was quick to emphasise that his decision was not driven by emotion, but necessity.

“I made that call as a coach, not as a dad, because we needed a goal,” Van Persie said after Feyenoord’s 3–1 defeat. “Shaqueel is a player who can score a goal from all angles. That was the reason I brought him on.”

He admitted that separating fatherhood from coaching in such a moment was special, but highlighted that professionalism guided the decision on the touchline.

A New Chapter in the Van Persie Legacy
Shaqueel’s debut marks an important milestone in a career that mirrors his father’s beginnings. Robin van Persie, who became a global star after rising through Feyenoord’s ranks, now oversees the next chapter of his son’s development at the same club.

While the result against Celtic was disappointing for Feyenoord, the image of Van Persie embracing his son before he stepped onto the pitch adds a meaningful layer to the club’s history. It represents both continuity and a new beginning for the Van Persie family.

Shaqueel will now aim to establish himself as a regular in the senior side, hoping to build on his debut and carve out his own legacy—proof that in the Van Persie household, footballing talent doesn’t just run in the family, it runs straight onto the pitch.