Celebrity Fan Web – Robin van Persie, the manager of Feyenoord, recently made headlines after giving his son Shaqueel his senior debut during a Europa League match against Celtic. Despite the family connection, van Persie emphasized that the decision was made entirely from a coaching perspective. The 19-year-old forward, who had spent two years at Manchester City’s academy. Joined Feyenoord in 2017, following in his father’s footsteps. He signed his first professional contract with the Dutch club in 2022.
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Shaqueel’s rise through the ranks of Feyenoord has been swift, and by 2025. He was included in the first-team squad for the Eredivisie match against NEC Nijmegen. His senior debut came just days later when he appeared as a substitute in the 81st minute of Feyenoord’s Europa League defeat to Celtic.
Van Persie was clear about his approach to the situation. “I made that call as a coach, not as a dad because we needed a goal,” he explained after the match. “Shaqueel is a player who can score a goal from all angles. That was the reason I brought him on.”
The introduction of Shaqueel came when Feyenoord was trailing 2-1, but Celtic quickly extended their lead with a third goal just one minute after his arrival. Although Shaqueel had little time to make an impact, managing just one shot inside Celtic’s box, van Persie was resolute in his professional mindset.
A Special Moment for Both Father and Son Despite the Loss
For Robin van Persie, the moment of his son’s debut was undoubtedly special. However, as a coach, he remained focused on the team’s needs, rather than savoring the emotional aspect of the occasion. “From a father’s point of view, when your son makes his debut, that is always a special moment,” van Persie noted. “But I wasn’t that busy with enjoying that moment; I was doing my work like Shaqueel was.”
Reflecting on Shaqueel’s development, van Persie added, “I see Shaqueel as one of the players.” The two had previously agreed to treat the situation professionally, which helped both father and son handle the debut calmly. “Shaqueel was handling that really well, and I am too in my opinion,” van Persie said.
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While the debut didn’t lead to a memorable result for Feyenoord, van Persie was proud of his son’s hard work and journey. “There is a whole process going on before he made his debut,” he said. “He worked hard, deserved it, and for him, it’s a special moment.” After the match, the father and son shared a quieter, more personal celebration at home, where they could reflect on the milestone and share their pride in the moment.