Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie has been left heartbroken after his teenage son, Shaqueel, suffered what appears to be a serious knee injury during the Dutch side's Europa League defeat to Real Betis on Thursday night.
A Painful Moment for Father and Son
The 19-year-old forward was stretchered off the pitch in the closing stages of Feyenoord's 2-1 loss in Seville, having only entered the game as a second-half substitute ten minutes earlier. Shaqueel had just provided an assist for Casper Tengstedt's consolation goal before landing awkwardly following a high challenge.
Immediate Touchline Concern
Clutching his knee in visible pain, Shaqueel received immediate treatment from Feyenoord's medical staff before being placed on a stretcher. In a poignant moment that highlighted the dual nature of his role, manager Robin van Persie requested the stretcher be brought to the touchline so he could comfort his injured son before he was taken down the tunnel.
The former Arsenal and Manchester United striker, who experienced numerous injuries throughout his own illustrious playing career, knelt beside his son, placing a hand on his shoulder and speaking words of reassurance. "When Shaqueel was carried off the field, I asked how he was doing," Van Persie revealed post-match. "I put my arm around his shoulder; that's all you can do at that moment, as a coach and as a father in this case."
Post-Match Assessment
The initial prognosis appears concerning, with Van Persie admitting the signs are not positive. "It's not looking good," the Dutchman stated. "Tests have to point out how he's doing, but the first signs are not looking good. You hold your heart when any player goes down with an injury. It happened to be Shaqueel today, that's just how it is."
Van Persie's emotional response underscored the difficult balance between professional responsibility and paternal concern. "I'm a coach, but I'm also his father and I find this terrible," he confessed. "It's a bit of both. It's heartbreaking that he's going through this."
Broader Context of the Match
The injury occurred during a disappointing European exit for Feyenoord, who needed a two-goal victory against Real Betis to secure a Europa League play-off spot. Instead, their continental campaign ended with a 29th-place finish in the competition.
For Shaqueel van Persie, the setback comes during what had been a promising period of development. The young forward, who was given his professional debut by his father in November, scored his first senior goals earlier this month with a brace in Feyenoord's 4-3 defeat to local rivals Sparta Rotterdam.
The injury represents a significant blow to both the Van Persie family and Feyenoord's attacking options, with the club now awaiting detailed medical assessments to determine the full extent of the damage and the expected recovery timeline.
