The world of football has witnessed several notable father-and-son duos gracing the same team. Some have achieved iconic status, while others have operated more quietly under the radar.
Players such as Federico Chiesa of Juventus and Daley Blind of Girona have adeptly navigated the expectations associated with their family names. On the contrary, individuals like Justin Kluivert and Enzo Zidane have struggled to live up to the heightened anticipation linked to their famous surnames.
Among the latest entrants into this lineage is Erling Haaland, who, following his transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City in the summer of 2022, has seamlessly adapted to the pressures tied to his family legacy.
As he makes his mark in Manchester City, Sports Brief delves into the stories of four footballers who have trodden the same path as their fathers by donning the colors of a shared club.
The Norwegian striker, who initially rose to prominence as a rookie forward with Molde, has evolved into one of Europe’s premier stars.
The 23-year-old, who joined Manchester City in the summer of 2022, followed in the footsteps of his father, who played for the Premier League club between 2000 and 2003.
While a few players have failed to eclipse the legacy of their fathers, Haaland has made light work of his. According to data courtesy of Fotmob, the Norwegian has been involved in 75 goals and 14 assists since his transfer to the club.
Similar to his father, Patrick, Justin Kluivert emerged from the ranks of the Ajax Amsterdam academy. After making his debut with the first team in 2017, the Dutch youngster went on to accumulate 56 appearances for Ajax across various competitions, finding the net 13 times, as per data provided by Whoscored.
However, in contrast to his father’s illustrious career with Barcelona and Valencia, Justin has taken a different path, embarking on a journey across various European clubs. Ahead of the 2023-24 season, the 24-year-old Dutch forward completed a transfer to Premier League side Bournemouth.
Enzo, the eldest among Zidane’s children, has struggled to carve out a reputation as one of the finest players in the world. The journey for the French footballer’s son has been marked by difficulties in securing a stable position in the top division of Spanish football. Consequently, he has often found himself striving to make a name for himself in the Spanish second division.