In a poignant family moment during Thursday night's Europa League action, Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie handed his 19-year-old son Shaqueel his professional debut against Celtic.
The Dutch legend introduced his teenage son as a 80th-minute substitute with Feyenoord trailing 3-1 in their Eredivisie encounter, though the youngster couldn't prevent his father's side from suffering their fourth consecutive defeat.
A Special Moment With Professional Intent
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, the 42-year-old former Manchester United and Arsenal striker described the occasion as 'special' but insisted his decision was purely tactical rather than sentimental.
'I made the decision as a coach and not as a father, because we needed a goal,' Van Persie stated. 'Shaqueel is a player who can score goals from all angles. That was the reason I put him on the pitch.'
The Feyenoord boss elaborated on balancing paternal pride with professional responsibility, revealing: 'So, from a father's point of view, it was a special moment, because when your son debuts it's always special, but to be fair, I wasn't so busy enjoying the moment. I was doing my job, as was Shaqueel.'
From Manchester City to Family Legacy
Shaqueel van Persie's football journey has seen him develop through various academies before returning to his father's roots. The young forward spent two years in Manchester City's youth system before joining Feyenoord in 2017 - the club where Robin began his illustrious career.
His professional pathway reached a significant milestone in 2022 when he signed his first professional contract, though he had to wait until last weekend for his first competitive squad inclusion during Feyenoord's 4-2 defeat against NEC Nijmegen.
Father's Tough Love Philosophy
Robin van Persie has been careful to ensure his son maintains perspective and professionalism, as demonstrated by a revealing incident from several years ago.
When Shaqueel was playing for Feyenoord's under-14 side, he complained about his coach and teammates during a car journey home after spending a match on the bench. The former Netherlands international, who earned 102 caps for his country, used the moment to deliver a crucial life lesson.
'I told him: 'Shaqueel, you sound like a loser when you talk like that,' Van Persie recalled during an appearance on the High Performance Podcast in 2020. 'Winners take control, blame themselves and look at where they can improve.'
The tough love approach had immediate results, with Van Persie noting: 'I saw this tiger. Training, working, running. And I thought: 'Okay, he's realised he has to take control of his life.''
Looking ahead, Shaqueel van Persie could make his Eredivisie debut this Sunday when Feyenoord travel to face Telstar, potentially writing the next chapter in this compelling football family story.
