Shaqueel van Persie Makes Feyenoord Debut Under Father, Manager Robin van Persie
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – Shaqueel van Persie, 19, made his senior debut for Feyenoord in their Europa League match against Celtic on Thursday, introduced in the 81st minute by his father and the team’s manager, Robin van Persie. The appearance marks a notable milestone for the young forward, who previously spent two seasons in Manchester City’s academy before joining Feyenoord in 2017 and signing his first professional contract with the Dutch club in 2022.
The debut came four days after Shaqueel was named to Feyenoord’s first-team squad for an Eredivisie match against NEC Nijmegen. Despite the 3-1 loss to Celtic, Robin van Persie emphasized the decision to bring on his son was purely tactical. “I made that call as a coach, not as a dad because we needed a goal,” he stated after the match. “Shaqueel is a player who can score a goal from all angles. That was the reason I brought him on.”
Van Persie, the former Arsenal and manchester United striker, underscored the professional dynamic between himself and his son. “From a father’s point of view, when your son makes his debut that is always a special moment. But I wasn’t that busy with enjoying that moment, I was doing my work like Shaqueel was.” He added, ”The way I see Shaqueel is as one of the players…This is what we both agreed to a couple of years ago when we already worked together.Shaqueel was handling that really well, I am too in my opinion.”
Shaqueel had one shot within Celtic’s penalty area during his brief appearance,entering the game with the score at 2-1 before Celtic added a third goal just a minute later. Robin van Persie acknowledged the pride he felt in his son’s achievement, recognizing the hard work and dedication that led to the debut. “Later on when we are home of course we will have a nice moment,when we are proud of each other. I am proud of Shaqueel because…he worked hard,deserved it and,for him,is a special moment.”
This instance is not unique in football history, as BBC Sport notes other instances of fathers managing and playing alongside their sons.
