LEGENDARY Dutch striker Robin van Persie left a very distinct legacy behind on the pitch, but it seems the Van Persie name could soon be making a return to the headlines.
This is because Van Persie’s son, Shaqueel, has just earned his first call-up to the Netherlands’ Under-17 team.
Shaqueel, 16, has followed in his father’s footsteps as a striker and seems to have inherited his scoring instincts.
His first international call-up come’s with a record 16 goals in 13 Feyenoord U17 games this season – the club where “RVP” retired.
And his development has been overseen by none other than his Dad.
Arsenal and Man Utd legend Van Persie moved into the youth coaching set-up at the club following his retirement, where it appears to have paid dividends to the family.
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Now Van Persie works as assistant to head coach Arne Slot, but was spotted dining with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag last month.
In May of this year, Shaqueel was rewarded with a contract with Feyenoord, with Van Persie senior tweeting: “Congrats Shaq 🤩🔥.”
Despite his call-up to the Oranje, Shaqueel could yet choose to play for Morocco due to the background of mum, Bouchra.
But for now at least, Holland is he who he will be representing on the international stage – perhaps with a long-term goal to try and eclipse his Dad’s tally of 50 international goals.
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Van Persie enjoyed a superb career as one of the deadliest strikers in the Premier League in his era.
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Despite an injury-hit time at Arsenal, he still struck 132 goals for the Gunners before swapping the red of North London for the red of Manchester in 2012.
The moved proved to be a stroke of genius for both him and Man Utd as they picked up the title with Van Persie scoring 26 goals and adding a further 15 assists.
The Red Devils have not been close to a title since, while Arsenal have only just remembered their own title-winning history after years of stagnation and mediocrity.
A host of ex-United stars are also being followed by their sons, including Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham, with the latter’s recently joining Brentford B on loan.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
